Time conjunctions
Time conjunctions, also known as temporal conjunctions, are words used to connect clauses or sentences that express time-related relationships. They help indicate when an action occurs or the sequence of events. Here are some common time conjunctions:
1. **After**: Indicates that one event happens following another event in time.
– Example: She went to bed after she finished her homework.
2. **Before**: Indicates that one event happens prior to another event in time.
– Example: He left before the party started.
3. **While**: Indicates that two events happen at the same time.
– Example: He listened to music while he was working.
4. **Since**: Indicates that an action started at a specific point in the past and continues into the present.
– Example: She has been studying since morning.
5. **Until / Till**: Indicates that an action continues up to a certain time.
– Example: He waited until his friends arrived.
6. **As soon as**: Indicates that an action happens immediately after another action.
– Example: She called as soon as she reached home.
7. **When**: Indicates the time at which an action happens.
– Example: He smiled when he saw his friend.
8. **Whenever**: Indicates at any time that something happens.
– Example: She gets nervous whenever she has to speak in public.
9. **While**: Indicates the time during which an action takes place.
– Example: He read a book while waiting for the train.
10. **Since**: Indicates the starting point of an action or state.
– Example: She has been living here since 2010.
These time conjunctions are essential for indicating the timing of events and organizing ideas in time sequences within sentences or paragraphs.
Exercise
Here’s a worksheet with 20 sentences focusing on the time conjunctions mentioned:
**Worksheet on Time Conjunctions**
**Fill in the blanks with the appropriate time conjunction:**
1. She went to bed __________ she finished her homework.
2. He left __________ the party started.
3. He listened to music __________ he was working.
4. She has been studying __________ morning.
5. He waited __________ his friends arrived.
6. She called __________ she reached home.
7. He smiled __________ he saw his friend.
8. She gets nervous __________ she has to speak in public.
9. He read a book __________ waiting for the train.
10. She has been living here __________ 2010.
11. __________ she was studying, he was watching TV.
12. He has been playing tennis __________ he was a child.
13. She will call you __________ she gets home.
14. They ate dinner __________ they watched a movie.
15. He has been waiting for the bus __________ half an hour.
16. The children went to bed __________ they were tired.
17. He will go shopping __________ he gets paid.
18. She has been practicing piano __________ she was six.
19. They have been living in this city __________ last year.
20. He studied hard __________ he could pass the exam.
Answers
Here are the answers to the worksheet:
1. after
2. before
3. while
4. since
5. until
6. as soon as
7. when
8. whenever
9. while
10. since
11. While
12. since
13. when
14. while
15. for
16. when
17. when
18. since
19. since
20. so that
Cheat sheet for time conjunctions
Here’s a cheat sheet summarizing the usage of the time conjunctions used in the worksheet:
**Time Conjunctions Cheat Sheet**
1. **After**: Indicates that one event happens following another event in time.
– Example: She went to bed after she finished her homework.
2. **Before**: Indicates that one event happens prior to another event in time.
– Example: He left before the party started.
3. **While**: Indicates that two events happen at the same time.
– Example: He listened to music while he was working.
4. **Since**: Indicates that an action started at a specific point in the past and continues into the present.
– Example: She has been studying since morning.
5. **Until / Till**: Indicates that an action continues up to a certain time.
– Example: He waited until his friends arrived.
6. **As soon as**: Indicates that an action happens immediately after another action.
– Example: She called as soon as she reached home.
7. **When**: Indicates the time at which an action happens.
– Example: He smiled when he saw his friend.
8. **Whenever**: Indicates at any time that something happens.
– Example: She gets nervous whenever she has to speak in public.
9. **For**: Indicates the duration of time.
– Example: He has been waiting for the bus for half an hour.
10. **So that**: Indicates the purpose or intention behind an action.
– Example: He studied hard so that he could pass the exam.
In conclusion, time conjunctions play a vital role in connecting events and actions in sentences, providing clarity and coherence to the temporal sequence of events. By understanding and using time conjunctions effectively, writers can convey the timing of actions, relationships between events, and durations of activities in their writing with precision. Whether indicating sequential order, simultaneous actions, durations, or purposes, time conjunctions help to structure narratives and explanations, guiding readers through the temporal aspects of the text. Practicing with time conjunctions can enhance the flow and organization of writing, making it easier for readers to follow the chronological progression of events.
