Using Before, After, While and When

Using Before, After, While and When

We use these words (before, after, while and when) to introduce time clauses to tell when something happens.

Rudy washed the floor before he watched the soccer match.

Rudy washed the floor after the soccer match.

Rudy washed the floor when the soccer match ended.

Rudy washed the floor while he was watching the soccer match.

In all of these cases, Rudy washed the floor. However, we have to look at the time clauses to see when the floor was washed.

Time clauses:	before he watched the soccer match
	after the soccer match
	when the soccer match ended
	while he was watching the soccer match

In all of these examples, the main (independent) clause is "Rudy washed the floor". The time clause simply states the relationship of other actions (watching the soccer match) to the activity in the main clause.

Let's analyze the time sequence--with another example.

The phone rang after we ate dinner.

(First we ate our meal, then the phone rang.)

The phone rang before we ate dinner.
(First the phone rang, then we ate.)

The phone rang when we ate dinner.
Also: The phone rang as we ate dinner.
(We ate and the phone rang at the same time.)

The phone rang while we were eating dinner.
Also: The phone rang as we were eating dinner.
(This is the same as above, but with the progressive tense [-ing]).

The Grammar

Independent clause	Dependent clause
The phone rang	before we ate dinner.

The phone rang is an independent clause. It can stand alone.

before we ate dinner is a dependent clause. It needs an independent clause to be a complete sentence. It is a sentence fragment when it is used alone.

Punctuation

The phone rang before we ate dinner.
Before we could eat dinner, the phone rang.

When the independent clause comes first in the sentence, no comma is needed. When the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, the clauses must be separated by a comma.

Different verb tenses

Look at these verb tenses:

It started to rain before I got home.
Jaime had a drink before he played tennis.
(two past tense events)

I have to get home before it starts of rain.
Jaime has to have a drink before he plays tennis.
(modal auxiliary and present tense)

Henry went to the movie after he had dinner
Prof. Simon gave a test after the spring break ended.
(two past tense events)

Henry may go to the movie after he has dinner.
Prof. Simon ought to give a test after the spring break ends.
(modal auxiliary and present tense)

Myra was reading a book when the phone rang.
(an on-going event interrupted by a single event in the past)

Myra had to get up when the phone rang.
(past tense cause and effect)

Ben asked for a ride when Myra answered the phone.
(two past tense events)

Myra will leave to pick up Ben when she hangs up.
(two future events)

I was listening carefully while the manager was explaining the problem.
(two past tense continuous activities)

The doorbell rang while I was taking a shower.
(one past tense continuous event interrupted by single action)

Cause and Effect

You can use when or after to explain some "cause and effect" situations.

Effect: He got a flat tire (puncture).
Cause: He ran over some glass.

He got a flat tire after he ran over some glass.

Cause: It rained.
Effect: Our paint job was ruined.

When it rained, our paint job was ruined.

Practice #1

Practice #2