Before, after and while
Which event happens first, and what happens at the same time?
Merkitys
Events can be linked by saying which happens first or whether they happen at the same time. This makes the order clear even when the later event is mentioned first. Languages use linking words, verb forms, or context, and some have no separate linking word for a particular time relation. Unlike When and how long, Before, after and while relates one event to another rather than giving a time or duration on its own.
Näin tunnistat sen
Find two events and check whether the message places one before, after, or during the other, regardless of their order in the sentence.
Opiskeltavalla kielelläsi
English links events with words such as before, after, and while. The part introduced by the linking word can come before or after the other part of the sentence. When these links refer to the future, English normally uses a present tense after the linking word, not will.
I'll call you before I leave.
Leave refers to the future, but there is no will after before.
After we finished dinner, we washed the dishes.
Dinner happened first; washing the dishes happened later.
Tom listened to music while he cooked.
The two activities happened at the same time.
Learners whose language uses a future form in both parts may add will after before or after. Learners whose language uses the same word for while and until may confuse events happening together with an action continuing up to its end.