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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #108142: When, While, Till etc, expressing time.
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Speaking | Conjunctions | Linking words [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Vocabulary: greeting people - Vocabulary: on the phone - On the phone - Interacting with someone - Dialogue : What time...? - Conditional clauses - Differences between Like and As - Eating out-Vocabulary
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    When, While, Till etc, expressing time.


    Temporal clauses enable us to focus on the moment when an event is happening in relation to the tense of the main clause:

     

                                                              1

     

     

     Temporal subordinate clauses are built with the help of many temporal subordinate conjunctions. The main ones are:

    AS AS SOON AS , AFTER (+ clause), AS LONG AS,  BEFORE (+ clause), ONCE (+ clause),  SINCE (+ clause),       TILL/UNTILWHENWHENEVERWHILE;

     

      VERY IMPORTANT REMARK:

    In a sentence in the future, temporal subordinate conjunctions ARE NEVER FOLLOWED BY A FUTURE. (a simple present must be used). Following the sequence of tenses, a preterite will be used in the subordinate clause, if the 'conditional' ('modal would' ) was in the main clause.

     

    ex: He'll open the door after he finds the key... It's hidden! 

    ex: Once the firemen arrive, they'll save these victims.

    ex: I won't go as long as he hasn't arrived! 

    ex: His parents knew that he'd (would) join the Navy as soon as he was 18 ! 

     It may be important to determine the temporal relationship there is between the event of the main clause and that of the subordinate:                                                                                     

    1) If the action of the main clause is taking place before that of the subordinate: = anteriority or precedence (before, till, until, not until, when).

    ex: He spoke fluent English before he arrived in Oxford! 

     

    2) If the action of the main clause is happening simultaneously (at the same time as) that of the subordinatesimultaneity or syncronicity (as, since, as soon as, while)

      meanwhile,  in the meantime (= adverbs)

    ex: He was doing his maths exercise while his sister was watching TV.

     

     

                                                        

     

    3) If the action of the main clause is taking place after that of the subordinate posteriority or subsequence. (after , once, when)

      (after + clause = a temporal conjunction) (after + Noun  or Gerund =  a preposition)

    ex: After he broke his leg, he never played rugby again.

    Time for the test, now ! Good luck ! 



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    English exercise "When, While, Till etc, expressing time." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    'Sleep at weekends!'
    Lily and her Mom often come to spend the weekend in the country house where the family gathers.
    They arrived last night, exhausted. Lily went to bed early, but up, it will be, as usual, a real hullabaloo in the whole house. That, I knew! It happened yesterday morning for real! she opened her eyes, she decided that she would go and see Granny.
    Lily could, she tickled Granny awake. She laughed, giggled, and decided it was time everyone got up.
    Gran was making her coffee, Mom was preparing Lily's milk. , Lily was peeling a banana to add to Mom's cereals. Then,she started thinking about a 'first one' for her. she saw a sharp knife on the table, she seized it and literally dipped it into the butter to spread it on her Gran's bread... she dipped the knife, she got out a huge chunk of butter... Mom scolded her, took the knife away, and explained that little girls should NEVER play with knives, they're much older... Lily was crying softly, Mom went on explaining : you know 'you can do it you use this cute round-tipped knife!' Lily smiled broadly...
    then, Lily has buttered Granny 's bread every Sunday morning ! Tell me enough' Lily, and I'll do it for Gran !








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