USING ADVERB CLAUSES TO SHOW TIME RELATIONSHIPS
| after* | (a) After she graduates, she will get a job. (b) After she (had) graduated, she got a job. | A present tense, not a future tense, is used in an adverb clause of time, as in examples (a) and (c). |
| before* | (c) I will leave before he comes. (d) I (had) left before he came. | |
| when | (e) When I arrived, he was talking on the phone. (f) When I got there, he had already left. (g) When it began to rain, I stood under a tree. (h) When I was in Chicago, I visited the museums. (i) When I see him tomorrow, I will ask him. | when = at that time Notice the different time relationships expressed by the tenses. |
| while as | (j) While I was walking home, it began to rain. (k) As I was walking home, it began to rain. | while, as = during that time |
| by the time | (1) By the time he arrived, we had already left. (m) By the time he comes, we will have already left. | by the time = one event is completed before another event Notice the use of the past perfect and future perfect in the main clause. |
| since | (n) I haven't seen him since he left this morning. (o) I've known her ever since I was a child. | since — from that time to the present In (o): ever adds emphasis. Note: The present perfect is used in the main clause. |
| until till | (p) We stayed there until we finished our work. (q) We stayed there till we finished our work. | until, till = to that time and then no longer (Till is used more in speaking than in writing; it is generally not used in formal English.) |
| as soon as once | (r) As soon as it stops raining, we will leave. (s) Once it stops raining, we will leave. | as soon as, once = when one event happens, another event happens soon afterward |
| as long as so long as | (t) I will never speak to him again as long as I live. (u) I will never speak to him again so long as I live. | as long as, so long as = during all that time, from beginning to end |
| whenever every time | (v) Whenever I see her, I say hello. (w) Every time I see her, I say hello. | whenever - every time |
| the first time the last time the next time | (x) The first time (that) I went to New York, I went to an opera. (y) I saw two plays the last time (that) I went to New York. (z) The next time (that) I go to New York, I'm going to see a ballet. | Adverb clauses can be introduced by the following:
  first
second
the third etc. time(that)
last
next etc.
|
*After and before are commonly used in the following expressions:
shortly after shortly before
a short time after a short time before
a little while after a little while before
not long after not long before
soon after
EXERCISE 7. Combine each pair of sentences. Use the given time words if they are possible and appropriate to the meaning. Cross out inappropriate ones.In the new sentences, omit unnecessary words, make any necessary changes (paying special attention to verb forms), and punctuate carefully.
1. The other passengers will get on the bus soon. Then we'll leave.
a. while b. as soon as c. the last time
→ As soon as the other passengers get on the bus, we'll leave.
2. I turned off the lights. After that, I left the room.
a. before b. by the time c. after
→ I turned off the lights before I left the room.
→ By the time I left the room, I had turned off the lights.
→ After I turned off the lights, I left the room.
3. Susan sometimes feels nervous. Then she chews her nails.
a. whenever b. before c. every time
4. The frying pan caught on fire. I was making dinner at that time.
a. by the time b. while c. as soon as
5. We were sitting down to eat. Someone knocked on the door at that moment.
a. just as1 b. just after1 c. just before[1]
6. The singer finished her song. The audience immediately burst into applause.
a. as long as b. as soon as c. immediately after
7. We have to wait here. Nancy will come.
a. as soon as b. after c. until
8. Nancy will come. We can leave for the theater.
a. after b. as soon as c. when
9. My roommate walked into the room yesterday. I immediately knew that something was wrong.
a. just as soon as b. when c. whenever
10. I stood up to give my speech. Immediately before that, I got butterflies in my stomach.
a. until b. while c. just before
11. I saw the great pyramids of Egypt in the moonlight. I was speechless.
a. until b. the first time c. before
12. Jane has gotten three promotions in the last six months. She started working at this company six months ago.
a. before b. since c. when
13. I had gone to bed. The phone rang.
a. shortly after b. not long after c. a short time after
14. The weather will get warmer soon. Then we can start playing tennis again.
a. while b. when c. once
15. Shakespeare died in 1616. He had written more than 37 plays before then.
a. while b. once c. by the time
16. Sam will go to the movies again. He'll remember to take his glasses then.
a. the next time b. as long as c. by the time
17. I will not forget Mr.Tanaka. I will live for a long time.
a. as b. as long as c. so long as
18. Mohammad had never heard about Halloween. Then he came to the U.S.
a. before
b. until
c. since
EXERCISE 8. Choose the best completion.
1. As soon as Martina saw the fire, she ___ the fire department.
A. was telephoning B. telephoned C. had telephoned D. has telephoned
2. Before Jennifer won the lottery, she ___ any kind of contest.
A. hasn't entered B. doesn't enter C. wasn't entering D. hadn't entered
3. Every time Prakash sees a movie made in India, he ___ homesick.
A. will have felt B. felt C. feels D. is feeling
4. Since I left Venezuela six years ago, I ___ to visit friends and family several times.
A. return B. will have returned C. am returning D. have returned
5. While he was washing his new car, Mr. De Rosa ___ a small dent in the rear fender.
A. has discovered B. was discovering C. is discovering D. discovered
6. Yesterday while I was attending a sales meeting, Matthew ___ on the company's annual report.
A. was working B. had been working C. has worked D. works
7. Tony ___ to have children until his little daughter was born. After she won his heart, he decided he wanted a big family.
A. doesn't want B. hadn't wanted C. wasn't wanting D. hasn't wanted
8. After the horse threw her to the ground for the third time,
Jennifer picked herself up and said, "I ___on another
horse as long as I live."
A. never ride
B. have never ridden
C. will never ride
D. do not ride
9. The next time Paul ___ to New York, he will visit the Metropolitan Museum's famous collection of international musical instruments.
A. will fly B. flies C. has flown D. will have flown
10. Ever since Maurice arrived, he ___ quietly in the corner. Is something wrong?
A. sat B. has been sitting C. had been sitting D. will have sat
11. After Nancy ___ for twenty minutes, she began to feel tired.
A. jogging B. had been jogging C. has been jogging D. has jogged
12. Peter, ___ since you got home from football practice?
A. have you eaten B. will you eat C. are you eating D. do you eat
13. By the time the young birds ___ the nest for good, they will have learned how to fly.
A. will leave B. will have left C. are leaving D. leave
14. The last time I ___ in Athens, the weather was hot and humid.
A. had been B. was C. am D. will have been
EXERCISE 9. Create a sentence from the given words. Do not change the order of the words. Use any appropriate verb forms and punctuate correctly.
Examples:
as soon as + I + finish + I
→ As soon as I finish my report, I'll call you and we'll go out to dinner.
I + after + I + climb
→ I was exhausted after I climbed the stairs to the eighth floor.
1. whenever + I + go + I
2. by the time + I + get + I
3. I + since + I + leave
4. just as + I + open + I
5. I + as soon as + I + eat
6. I + when + I + be
7. the first time + I + see + I
8. I + until + I + be
9. while + I + look + I 10. I + before + I + drive
EXERCISE 10. Use any appropriate tense for the verbs in parentheses. In some instances, more than one tense is possible.
1. A: There is something I have to tell you.
B: Go ahead. I (listen) __________.
2. A: Hi, Ann. (you, meet) __________ my friend George Smith?
B: No, I (have, never) __________ the pleasure.
A: Then let me introduce you.
3. A: Stop! What (you, do) __________?
B: I (try) __________ to get this piece of toast out of the toaster. It's stuck.
A: Well, don't use a knife. You (electrocute) __________ yourself!
B: What do you suggest I do? A: Unplug it first.
4. A: There's Jack.
B: Where?
A: He (lie) __________ on the grass under that tree over there.
B: Oh, yes. I (see) __________ him. He (look, certainly) __________ comfortable. Let's go talk to him.
5. A: I (go) __________ to a play last night.
B: (it, be) __________ any good?
A: I thought so. I (enjoy) __________it a lot.
B: What (you, see) __________?
A: Arsenic and Old Lace. I (see, never) __________ it before.
B: Oh, I (see) __________ that play too. I (see) __________ it a couple of years ago. It (be) __________ good, (be, not) __________ it?
6. A: I was in your hometown last month. It looked like a nice town. I (be, never) __________ there before.
B: What (you, do) __________ in that part of the country?
A: My wife and I (drive) __________ to Washington, D.C., to visit her family.
7. A: (you, take) ________________ Econ 120 this semester?
B: No, I __________.
A: (you, take, ever) __________ it?
B: Yes, I __________.
A: When (you, take) __________ it?
B: Last semester.
A: Who (be) __________ your professor?
B: Dr. Lee.
A: Oh, I have the same professor. What (he, be) __________ like?
B: He (be) __________ very good.
8. A: May I borrow some money? My check (be) __________ supposed to arrive yesterday, but I still (receive, not) __________ it. I need to buy a book for one of my classes, but I (have, not) __________ any money.
B: Sure. I'd be happy to lend you some. How much (you, need) __________?
A: How about five dollars? Thanks. I (pay) __________ you back as soon as I (get) __________ my check.
9. A: Hello?
B: Hello. May I speak to Sue?
A: She (be, not) __________ in right now. May I take a message?
B: Yes. This is Art O'Brien. Would you please ask her to meet me at the library this afternoon? I (sit) __________ at one of the study booths on the second floor.
10. A: Alex, (you, know) ___________ where Ms. Rodriguez is? I (look) __________ for her for the past hour.
B: She (see) __________ Mr. Frost at the moment about the shipment of parts which we (receive) __________ earlier today. Some of the parts are missing.
A: Uh, oh. That (sound) __________ like trouble. Please tell Ms. Rodriguez to phone me when she (have) __________ some free time. I (work) __________ in my office all afternoon.
EXERCISE 11. Use any appropriate tense.
Jose: Hi, my name is Jose.
Ali: Hi, my name is Ali.
Jose: (you, study) __________ at this university?
Ali: Yes, I (be) __________. And you?
Jose: Yes, I (be) __________ here since last September. Before that I (study) __________ English at another school.
Ali: What (you, take) __________ this term?
Jose: I (take) __________ chemistry, math, psychology, and American history. What (you, take) __________?
Ali: I (study) __________ English. I (need) __________ to improve my English before I (take) __________ regular academic courses next semester.
Jose: How long (you, be) __________ here?
Ali: I (be) __________ here since the beginning of this semester. Actually, I (arrive) __________ in the United States six months ago, but I (study) __________ English at this university only since January. Before that I (live) __________ with my brother in Washington, D.C.
Jose: You (speak) __________ English very well, (you, study) __________ a lot of English before you (come) __________ to the United States?
Ali: Yes. I (study) __________ English for ten years in my own country. And also, I (spend) __________ some time in Canada a couple of years ago. I (pick) __________ up a lot of English while I (live) __________there.
Jose: You (be) __________ lucky. When I (come) __________ to the United States, I (study, never) __________ any English at all. So I had to spend a whole year studying nothing but English before I (start) __________ school.
Ali: How long (you, plan) __________ to be in the United States?
Jose: I (be, not) __________ sure. Probably by the time I (return) __________ home, I (be) __________ here for at least five years. How about you?
Ali: I (hope) __________ to be finished with all my work in two and a half years.
EXERCISE 12. Use any appropriate tense.
Dear Ann,
I (receive) __________ your letter about two weeks ago and (try) __________ to find time to write you back ever since. I (be) __________ very busy lately. In the past two weeks, I (have)____________ __________ four tests, and I have another one next week. In addition, a friend (stay) __________ with me since last Thursday. She wanted to see the city, so we (spend) __________ a lot of time visiting some of the interesting places here. We (be) __________ to the zoo, the art museum, and the botanical gardens. Yesterday we (go) __________ to the park and (watch) __________ a balloon race. Between showing her the city and studying for my exams, I (have, barely) __________ enough time to breathe.
Right now it (be) __________ 3:00 a.m. and I (sit) __________ at my desk. I (sit) __________ here five hours doing my studying. My friend's plane (leave) __________ at 6:05, so I (decide) __________ not to go to bed. That's why I (write) __________ to you at such an early hour in the day. I (get) __________ a little sleepy, but I would rather stay up. I (take) __________ a nap after I (get) __________ back from taking her to the airport.
How (you, get) __________ along? How (your classes, go) __________? Please write soon.
Yours, Janet.
EXERCISE 13. Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use any appropriate tense.
Almost every part of the world (experience) __________ an earthquake in recent years, and almost every part of the world (experience) __________ earthquakes in the years to come. Since the ancient Chinese (begin) __________ to keep records several thousand years ago, more than 13 million earthquakes (occur) __________ worldwide by some estimates. What (cause) __________ earthquakes? Throughout time, different cultures (develop) __________myths to explain these violent earth movements.
According to a Japanese myth, a playful catfish lives in the mud under the earth. Whenever it feels like playing, it (wave) __________ its fat tail around in the mud. The result? Earthquakes. From India comes the story of six strong elephants who (hold) __________ up the earth on their heads. Whenever one elephant (move) __________ its head, the earth trembles.
Nowadays, although scientists (know) __________ more about the causes of earthquakes, they still cannot prevent the terrible damage. One of the strongest quakes in the 20th century (happen) __________ in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 24,1964, at about six o'clock in the evening. When the earthquake (strike) __________ that evening, many families (sit) __________ down to eat dinner. People in the city (find, suddenly) __________ themselves in the dark because most of the lights in the city went out when the earthquake occurred. Many people (die) __________ instantly when tall buildings (collapse) __________ and (send) __________tons of brick and concrete crashing into the streets.
When (the next earthquake, occur) __________? No one really knows for sure. Interestingly enough, throughout history animals (help, often) __________ people predict earthquakes shortly before they happen. At present, some scientists (study) __________ catfish because catfish swim excitedly just before an earthquake. According to some studies, snakes, monkeys, and rodents (appear, also) __________to be sensitive to the approach of violent movement in the earth's surface. Some animals (seem) __________to know a great deal more than humans about when an earthquake will occur.
In recent years, scientists (develop) __________ many extremely sensitive instruments. Perhaps someday the instruments (be) __________ able to give us a sufficiently early warning so that we can be waiting calmly in a safe place when the next earthquake (strike) __________.
EXERCISE 14. The following sentences are adapted from student writing and contain typical errors of different kinds. See how many of these errors you can find and correct.
1. I am living at 3371 grand avenue since last September.
2. I have been in New York city two week ago.
3. My country have change its capital city five time.
4. Dormitory life is not quiet. Everyone shouted and make a lot of noise in the halls.
5. My friends will meet me when I will arrive at the airport.
6. Hasn't anyone ever tell you to knock on the door before you enter someone else's room? Didn't your parents taught you that?
7. When I was a child, I viewed thing from a much lower height. Many physical objects around me appear very large. When I want to move something such as a chair, I need help.
8. I will intend to go back home when I will finish my education.
9. The phone rung while I doing the dishes. I dry my hands and answer it. When I am hear my husband voice, I very happy.
10. I am in the United States for the last four months. During this time, I had done many thing and saw many place.
11. When the old man started to walk back to his cave, the sun has already hided itself behind the mountain.
12. While I am writing my composition last night, someone knocks on the door.
13. I'm studing English at an English conversation school two time a week.
14. Getting accustomed to a different cultures are not easy.
15. I'm really glad you to visit my hometown this year.
16. While I was visitting my cousin in Los Angeles. We went to a restaurant and eat Thai food.
17. We ate dinner. We watched TV after.
18. When I was in my country, I am afraid to come to the United States. I thought I couldn't walk outside at night because of the terrible crime. But now I am having a different opinion. I live in this small town for three month and learn that there is very little crime here.
19. Before I came to the United State. I pictured the U.S. as an exciting place with honesty, hard-working, well-mannered peoples. After I came to United State since four month ago this picture had changed. The manners of the students while they are in the cafeteria. They are really bad. I am also thinking that office workers here lazy. People in my country works a lot harder.
[1] Just adds the idea of "immediately":
just as = at that immediate or same moment
just before = immediately before
just after = immediately after