Time-Relation Link
Before, after, during, or while what?
Meaning
A relation that orders two events relative to each other in time.
How to spot it
Ask which event happens before, after, while, until, or since another.
Examples
before|after|while|until|since
before dinner|after I arrived|while waiting
Call me before you leave.
Visual guide
time-relation frame [event A] timed by [event B] Call me before you leave call < leave (< means earlier)
A = main event, B = anchor before B: A < B after B: B < A while B: A overlaps B until B: A lasts to B since B: A starts at B
Language View
In your native language
English uses before, after, while, when, until, since, and once to link events in time.
Call me before you leave.
before you leave = time relation
In your learning language
Time relations use conjunctions and prepositional phrases; future/non-real time clauses often use the subjunctive.
Te llamo cuando llegue.
I will call you when I arrive.
Learners often use the indicative where Spanish requires the subjunctive in future time clauses.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.