Relative and Adverbial Clauses of Time
Relative and adverbial clauses of time help us describe when things happen and give more information about time-related actions or events.
⏰ When do we use Relative and Adverbial Clauses of Time
We use the Relative and Adverbial Clauses of Time to:
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Describe specific times or moments:
- The day when I met you was special.
- I remember the time when we traveled abroad.
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Show when one action happens in relation to another:
- I’ll call you when I get there.
- We’ll leave after the movie ends.
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Provide additional detail about time nouns:
- The moment when I arrived was unforgettable.
- Do you remember the year when we graduated?
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Talk about sequences using time expressions:
- Before you go to bed, brush your teeth.
- She always exercises after work.
📌 Structure
- Affirmative:
Main Clause + when/after/before + Subject + Verb - Negative:
Main Clause + when/after/before + Subject + didn't + Base Verb - Question:
What did you do when + Subject + Verb?
📝 Note
Relative clauses of time use the word when to refer back to a time noun. Adverbial clauses describe time relationships between actions.
- The summer when we met was amazing.
- I always listen to music while I work.
- Call me before you leave the house.
Examples: She called when the meeting started, We always stretch after we run.
💬 Examples
✅ Positive Examples
- I’ll visit you when I arrive.
- She cooked dinner after she got home.
- The day when we moved here was exciting.
❌ Negative Examples
- I didn’t call you when I arrived because my phone was off.
- She didn’t go home after she finished her work.
- He never remembers the time when we used to walk by the river.
❓ Question Examples
- What did you do when the power went out?
- Do you remember the year when they got married?
- Where were you before the class started?
🎯 Practice Exercises
⬇️ Interactive exercise will appear here soon.
Ready to Describe Relationships and Timing with Precision in English?
Mastering relative and adverbial clauses of time (e.g., “when,” “while,” “as soon as”) is a fantastic step to creating more complex, detailed sentences that clearly indicate when events happened or are related.
Do you want to practice connecting events in time and adding rich detail to your English narratives? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master these clauses and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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