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Unit 98 · Conjunctions and clauses

When ...

Study

A

When I went out, it was raining.

This sentence has two parts:

when I went out + it was raining

You can say:

›

When I went out, it was raining. or

›

It was raining when I went out.

We write a comma (,) if When ... is at the beginning:

›

When you're tired, don't drive.

›

Don't drive when you're tired.

›

Helen was 25 when she got married.

›

When Helen got married, she was 25.

We do the same in sentences with before/while/after:

›

Always look both ways before you cross the road.

›

Before you cross the road, always look both ways.

›

While I was waiting for the bus, it began to rain.

›

It began to rain while I was waiting for the bus.

›

He never played football again after he broke his leg.

›

After he broke his leg, he never played football again.

B

When I am ... / When I go ... etc.

Next week Sarah is going to New York. She has a friend, Lisa, who lives in New York, but Lisa is also going away — to Mexico. So they won't see each other in New York.

›

Lisa will be in Mexico when Sarah is in New York.

The time is future (next week) but we say: ... when Sarah is in New York. (not when Sarah will be)

We use the present (I am / I go etc.) with a future meaning after when:

›

When I get home this evening, I'm going to have a shower.

(not When I will get home)

›

I can't talk to you now. I'll talk to you later when I have more time.

We do the same after before/while/after/until:

›

Please close the window before you go out.

(not before you will go)

›

Rachel is going to stay in our flat while we are away.

(not while we will be)

›

I'll wait here until you come back.

(not until you will come back)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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98.1

Write sentences beginning with when. Choose from the boxes.

  1. 1
    When + I went out + it was raining
    When I went out, it was raining. example
  2. 2
    When + I'm tired + I like to watch TV
  3. 3
    When + I knocked on the door + there was no answer
  4. 4
    When + I go on holiday + I always go to the same place
  5. 5
    When + the programme ended + I turned off the TV
  6. 6
    When + I got to the hotel + there were no rooms
98.2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box.

somebody broke into the housebefore they came herebefore they crossed the roadthey went to live in New Zealandwhile they were awaywhen they heard the newsthey didn't believe me
  1. 1
    They looked both ways .example
  2. 2
    They were very surprised .
  3. 3
    After they got married, .
  4. 4
    Their house was damaged in a storm .
  5. 5
    Where did they live ?
  6. 6
    While we were asleep, .
  7. 7
    When I told them what happened, .
98.3

Which is right?

  1. 1
    I stay / I'll stay here until you come / you'll come back.
  2. 2
    I'm going to bed when I finish / I'll finish my work.
  3. 3
    We must do something before it's / it will be too late.
  4. 4
    Helen is going away soon. I'm / I'll be very sad when she leaves / she'll leave.
  5. 5
    Don't go out yet. Wait until the rain stops / will stop.
  6. 6
    We come / We'll come and visit you when we're / we'll be in England again.
  7. 7
    When I come to see you tomorrow, I bring / I'll bring our holiday photos.
  8. 8
    I'm going to Paris next week. I hope to see some friends of mine while I'm / I'll be there.
  9. 9
    Let's go out for a walk before it gets / it will get dark.
  10. 10
    I'm not ready yet. I tell / I'll tell you when I'm / I'll be ready.
98.4

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

  1. 1
    Can you close the window before you go out?
  2. 2
    What are you going to do when
  3. 3
    When I have enough money,
  4. 4
    I'll wait for you while
  5. 5
    When I start my new job,
  6. 6
    Will you be here when