Grammar: B1 - ✨ Grammar Essentials: 🧩 Parts of Speech & 🏗️ Sentence Structure - Lesson 7: Conjunctions of Time (when, while, before, after, as soon as, until)

✨ Lesson 7: Conjunctions of Time (when, while, before, after, etc.)

We know how to connect ideas with words like 'and', 'but', 'so', and 'because'. Today, we will learn about conjunctions of time¹. These special words connect two clauses² and tell us when something happens.

Common Time Conjunctions

Each conjunction shows a different relationship in time.

• when: At that moment.
  Example: He felt very happy when he saw the beautiful temple.
• while: During the time that; two actions happening simultaneously³.
  Example: I listened to a podcast while I was travelling on the bus.
• before: Earlier than something else.
  Example: You should always eat breakfast before you go to work.
• after: Later than something else.
  Example: We went for a coffee after we visited the museum.
• as soon as: Immediately at the moment.
  Example: I will call you as soon as I arrive at the hotel.
• until: Continuing up to a point in time.
  Example: We waited at the cafe until the rain stopped.

The Punctuation Rule: Using a Comma

The punctuation depends on the position of the time clause.

Rule: When the time clause comes first in a sentence, you must use a comma after it. If it comes second, no comma is needed.

• After we visited the temple, we were very tired.
• We were very tired after we visited the temple.

• While I was waiting, I read a book.
• I read a book while I was waiting.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Best Conjunction

Choose the best time conjunction to complete the sentences.

1. Please wash your hands ______ you eat.
   → before
2. The tour will start ______ everyone arrives.
   → as soon as
3. She was reading a book ______ he was watching TV.
   → while
4. I'm going to explore the city ______ I finish my work.
   → after
5. We can't leave ______ our tour guide gets here.
   → until

📝 Homework: Join the Sentences

Join the two sentences using the conjunction in parentheses ( ). Pay attention to the comma rule!

Example: I will call you. I get home. (when) → I will call you when I get home.

---

1. He finished his homework. He went to bed. (after)

→ ________________________________________________.

2. The phone rang. I was taking a shower. (while)

→ ________________________________________________.

3. We arrived at the airport. We checked in our bags. (as soon as)

→ ________________________________________________.

(Answers: 1. After he finished his homework, he went to bed. 2. The phone rang while I was taking a shower. 3. As soon as we arrived at the airport, we checked in our bags.)

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Conjunction of Time: (Noun) - ឈ្នាប់នៃពេលវេលា (chhnŏăp ney peilveilea) - A word that connects two clauses and shows a time relationship. ↩
2. Clause: (Noun) - ឃ្លា (khlēa) - A group of words containing a subject and a verb, forming part of a sentence. ↩
3. Simultaneously: (Adverb) - ក្នុងពេលដំណាលគ្នា (knong peil dâm'nal'khnēa) - Happening at the exact same time. ↩