In this lesson, we will be looking at two different types of adverb clauses: adverb clauses of time, and adverb clauses of place.

Adverb clauses of Time

Adverb clauses of Time answer the question "when." They tell you about the specific timing of elements of a sentence through the use of the following subordinators (and more):

  • when
  • before
  • after
  • by the time
  • until
  • since
  • as soon as
  • whenever

Each of these subordinators mean different things with regards to time. The table below tells you what each of the subordinators mean and gives you an example of each.

Subordinator of Time What does it mean? Example
when "When" means "in the moment" or "at the very moment." It is often used when an event meets or interrupts another event.

I cleaned the house when my brother went to bed.

before "Before" means something that happens "before that very moment."

We'll be able to finish before she arrived at the door.

after "After" means "after that moment." We ate after the school bell rang.
by the time "By the time" is used when one event has already been completed before the second event happens. By the time he finished his project, it was already dark outside.
until "Until" express "up until that moment." We waited until Shannen got off work.
since "Since" means "from that time." It is used to talk about things that started in the past and continued until now. I've been practicing Judo since I was five years old.
as soon as "As soon as" means that when something is completed, another event is to take place immediately after. As soon as you finish school, call your mother.
whenever "Whenever" means "every time / each time something happens." We go out for dinner whenever Dad comes home from England.

Adverb Clauses of Place


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Exercises

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