1. Smart Choice Level 3 Unit 5 - Grammar

2. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
The words before, after, and when are used to introduce a time clause.
I studied English before I went to the US.
I hope to travel after I finish college.
I talk to my friends when I have a problem.

3. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
When is used with the action that happens first.
The boy fell down.
He jumped the fence.
The boy fell down when he jumped the fence.

4. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
After is used with the action that happens first.
I took a shower.
I exercised.
I took a shower after I exercised.

5. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
Before is used with the action that happens second.
I went to bed.
I brushed my teeth.
I brushed my teeth before I went to bed.

6. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
Time clauses may come after or before the main clause. If a time clause is before the main clause, use a comma to separate it from the main clause.

7. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
Main Clause
Time Clause
I studied English before I went to the US.
Time Clause
Main Clause
Before I went to the US, I studied English.

8. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
If the main clause uses a present tense verb, the time clause must
also use a present tense verb.
I always listen to music before I go to bed.

9. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
If the main clause uses a past tense verb, the time clause must
also use a past tense verb.
Last night I listened to music before I went to bed.

10. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
If the main clause uses a future tense verb, the time clause must
use a present tense verb.
I’ll be there when the guests arrive.
We are going to go to Spain when classes end.

11. Adverbial Clauses: before, after, when
Verb Tense Review
Main Clause
Time Clause
present
past
future

12. Now Practice!
1. I went to Anna’s party and I took a gift. (when)
I took a gift when I went to Anna’s party.
When I went to Anna’s party, I took a gift.
2. I ate breakfast and then I went to work. (after)
I went to work after I ate breakfast.
After I ate breakfast, I went to work.

13. Now Practice!
3. I was on the bus yesterday and I fell asleep. (when)
I fell asleep when I was on the bus yesterday.
When I was on the bus yesterday, I fell asleep.
4. This morning I went jogging and then I had breakfast. (before)
This morning I went jogging before I had breakfast.
Before I had breakfast this morning, I went jogging.

14. Now Practice!
1. When I called my friend, she didn’t answer.
2. She never answers when he calls her.
3. She’ll call you when she gets home.
4. We left before it started to rain.
5. We’ll leave when it starts to rain.
6. It was dark outside when we left home in the morning.