Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 98 · A2

When ...

A when sentence has two parts and either can come first; put a comma after the when part if it comes first. The same goes for before, while and after. When the meaning is future, use the present after when, before, while, after and until: when I get home, not when I will get home.

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 21 minutes

In this lesson

Two parts, either orderA2 screens of questions
before, while, afterB2 screens of questions
Present tense for the futureC4 screens of questions

Point A of 3

Two parts, either order

When I left the house, it was snowing.

This sentence has two parts: when I left the house (part A) and it was snowing (part B). Either part can come first.

Put a comma after part A when it comes first.

  • When I left the house, it was snowing.
  • It was snowing when I left the house.
  • When you feel sleepy, don't drive.
  • Don't drive when you feel sleepy.
  • Max was delighted when he got the job.
  • When Max got the job, he was delighted.

Point A · Exercise 98.1 · part 1 of 2

Make sentences beginning with When. Join one part from each list. List A: I went out / I'm tired / I rang her / I go on holiday / the film ended / I got to the hotel. List B: I switched off the TV / I always book the same cottage / there were no rooms / it was raining / there was no answer / I like to watch TV.

  1. Example

    When I went out ...

    When I went out, it was raining.

    AnswerWhen I went out, it was raining.

  2. When I'm tired ...

  3. When I rang her ...

  4. When I go on holiday ...

  5. When the film ended ...

Point A · Exercise 98.1 · part 2 of 2

Make sentences beginning with When. Join one part from each list. List A: I went out / I'm tired / I rang her / I go on holiday / the film ended / I got to the hotel. List B: I switched off the TV / I always book the same cottage / there were no rooms / it was raining / there was no answer / I like to watch TV.

  1. When I got to the hotel ...

Point B of 3

before, while, after

before, while and after work the same way, with the same comma rule.

  • Always check your mirrors before you pull out.
  • Before you pull out, always check your mirrors.
  • While I was waiting for the train, it started to hail.
  • It started to hail while I was waiting for the train.
  • She never rode a horse again after she fell off.
  • After she fell off, she never rode a horse again.

Point B · Exercise 98.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box: somebody broke into the flat / before they crossed the street / they moved to Australia / before they lived here / while they were away / when they heard the news / they didn't believe me.

Use these

somebody broke into the flatbefore they crossed the streetthey moved to Australiabefore they lived herewhile they were awaywhen they heard the newsthey didn't believe me

  1. Example

    They looked left and right before they crossed the street.

    AnswerThey looked left and right before they crossed the street.

  2. They were really shocked .

  3. After they retired, .

  4. The parcel was delivered .

  5. Where did they live ?

Point B · Exercise 98.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box: somebody broke into the flat / before they crossed the street / they moved to Australia / before they lived here / while they were away / when they heard the news / they didn't believe me.

Use these

somebody broke into the flatbefore they crossed the streetthey moved to Australiabefore they lived herewhile they were awaywhen they heard the newsthey didn't believe me

  1. While they were asleep, .

  2. When I told them what had happened, .

Point C of 3

Present tense for the future

Next month Tom is going to Rome. His friend Ana lives in Rome, but she is going to Peru next month. So they will not meet.

Ana will be in Peru when Tom is in Rome.

The time is future, but after when we use the present: when Tom is in Rome (not when Tom will be).

The same applies after before, while, after and until.

  • When I get home tonight, I'm going to have a bath. (not When I will get home)
  • I'm busy now. I'll ring you later when I have a minute.
  • Please lock the door before you leave. (not before you will leave)
  • Our neighbour is going to feed the cat while we're on holiday. (not while we will be)
  • I'll wait here until you get back. (not until you will get back)

Point C · Exercise 98.3 · part 1 of 2

Which is right? Choose the correct form for each gap.

  1. Example

    I'll stay here until you come back. (I stay / I'll stay) (come / will come)

    AnswerI'll stay here until you come back.

  2. I'll ring you back when I my shift. (finish / 'll finish)

  3. We need to act before too late. (it's / it will be)

  4. Our teacher is retiring this year. really miss her when . (We / We'll) (she goes / she'll go)

  5. Stay inside for now. Wait until the hail . (stops / will stop)

Point C · Exercise 98.3 · part 2 of 2

Which is right? Choose the correct form for each gap.

  1. and see you when in Bath again. (We come / We'll come) (we're / we'll be)

  2. When round tomorrow, the photos. (I come / I'll come) (I bring / I'll bring)

  3. I'm going to Lisbon next month. I hope to visit some old friends while there. (I'm / I'll be)

  4. "Don't forget to give me your new number." "OK, it to you before ." (I give / I'll give) (I go / I'll go)

Point C · Exercise 98.4 · part 1 of 2

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.

  1. Example

    Can you turn off the light before ...?

    Can you turn off the light before you go out?

    Example answerCan you turn off the light before you go out?

  2. What are you going to do when ...?

  3. When I have more time, ...

  4. I'll wait for you while ...

  5. When I start my new job, ...

Point C · Exercise 98.4 · part 2 of 2

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.

  1. Will you be here when ...?

Lesson 98 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: If we go ... If you see ... etc.Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Two parts, either order–Not checkedB. before, while, after–Not checkedC. Present tense for the future–Not checked