Adverbs of Sequence
Relating two future (planned) events
| MAIN CLAUSE | ADVERBIAL CLAUSE |
|---|---|
Use future tense to introduce a planned event or future activity. |
Use an adverb clause to introduce a second event and relate the timing of it: earlier, later, or same time. Use present tense in the adverb clause. |
FUTURE TENSE I will make tea |
PRESENT TENSE after we watch TV. (later than the TV start time) |
I will make tea |
before we watch TV. (earlier than the TV start time) |
I will be making tea |
while we watch TV. (during TV time) |
I will make tea |
when we watch TV. (at TV time) |
we will be drinking tea |
as long as we watch TV. (throughout the TV time) |
I will make tea |
as soon as we watch TV. (at the TV starting time) |
I won't make tea (negative) |
until we watch TV. (at the TV starting time) |
I will have made tea (future perfect) |
by the time we watch TV. (during the time before the TV start time) |
Also see Adverbs of Mixed Times
Word Order – commas
| INITIAL POSITION | FINAL POSITION |
|---|---|
Use a comma after the adverb clause when occurs first. |
Use no comma when the adverb clause occurs after the main clause. |
USE A COMMA As soon as you get here, we'll leave. |
USE NO COMMA We'll leave as soon as you get here. |
Before I drink coffee, my head hurts. |
My head hurts before I drink coffee. |
After I drink coffee, my headache stops. |
My headache stops after I drink coffee. |
When you give me the keys, I'll start driving. |
I'll start driving when you give me the keys. |
After, Before, Afterward
| FUTURE (1st event) | FUTURE (2nd event) |
|---|---|
After I make tea, (present tense) |
we will watch a movie on TV . |
I will make some tea. |
Afterward, we will watch a movie on TV . |
I will make some tea |
before we watch a movie on TV. (present tense) |
Common Mistakes
| ERRORS | FIX |
|---|---|
After I will make a telephone call, we can leave. |
After I make a telephone call, we can leave. (Use present tense in the adverb clause.) |
Practice
Travel
Enter the correct tense and subject-verb agreement.
- Type your answer in the box.
- Then, check your answer.
Practice
Sequence of Events
- Select the verb that best completes the sentence.
- An asterisk (*) indicates an incorrect answer.