Name: ________________________________ Date: ________________ Group: _______

ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF TIME

A connective preposition such as before, after, when, as soon as or while may add a clause with a second
activity which occurs earlier than, later than, immediately after or at the same time as the activity in the
main clause.

Examples: I studied a lot before I presented the test.

(earlier than)
We watched a movie after he arrived.
(later than)

We went to have some coffee when / as soon as the movie

finished.
I cleaned the mirror while dad swept the floor. (immediately after)
(At the same time)
Mark checked his email when Susan was on the phone.
(At the same time)

1. Read the following text about Mike’s day and complete the sentences using the correct adverbial
clause of time.

This morning, I got up immediately after the alarm clock went off at 6:10 a.m. I took a shower and got
dressed. After that, I had breakfast and read the new paper at the same time. Unfortunately, I focused so
much into the reading that I spilled some coffee on my shirt, so I had to get changed. Later, I brushed my
teeth and ran out the door because I was already late. To make things even worse there was a public protest
on the streets and the traffic was really slow so I had to wait for more than forty minutes in traffic. The only
thing that I could do to relax a little was to listen to my favorite band and to sing their songs. I finally got to
work and there were some very angry customers waiting for me, this day could not get any worse. I
apologized to them and tried to be as patient and as diligent as I could. It was a very frustrating morning.
 Complete the sentences using the correct adverbial clause of time according to the reading.

1. Mike woke up (before / while / as soon as) the alarm clock went off.
2. He read the newspaper (after / while / before) he had breakfast.
3. He brushed his teeth (after / before / when) he took a shower.
4. Mike stained his shirt (before / as soon as / while) he had breakfast.
5. He changed his shirt (after / while / before) he brushed his teeth.
6. He left to work (before / as soon as / while) he brushed his teeth.
7. He noticed that there was a public protest (after / when / before) he was driving.
8. Mike listened to music (before / as soon as / while) he waited in the traffic.
9. Some angry customers were already waiting (before / as soon as / after) he arrived at work.
10. Mike attended to his customers (before / as soon as / while) he got to work.

2. Complete the next sentences with the most appropriate adverbial clause.

1. I cleaned my teeth ___________________ I went to bed.

2. The ambulance arrived at the scene five minutes ___________________ the accident had happened.

3. ___________________ I am older, I want to start my own business.

4. I went straight to the hospital ___________________ I heard about your accident.

5. They’ve never watched this movie ___________________, that’s why they are very happy with the idea.

6. They took short breaks every half an hour ___________________ they were playing tennis.

7. Rebecca went to bed ___________________ she got home because she was so tired.

8. People should be very careful ___________________ they cross busy roads.

9. We cannot light the barbecue ___________________ it is raining, we must wait a while.

10. Paul found somebody’s wallet on the ground ___________________ he was walking to the bus stop.

3. Write your own examples:

(while) ___________________________________________________________________________

(as soon as) ___________________________________________________________________________

(when) ___________________________________________________________________________

(before) ___________________________________________________________________________

(after) ___________________________________________________________________________