Grammar Clauses in English Made Easy

Clauses are units of grammar that contain a predicate (verb) and a subject (noun). Some
clauses can stand on their own as sentences (independent), and some cannot
(dependent). Beyond being broadly categorized as independent or dependent, there are
many other types of clauses in English grammar. Discover different types of clauses and
learn how they work.

grammar clause example independent and dependent

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Independent Clauses

An independent clause can stand as a sentence by itself or it can be combined with other
clauses. As with all clauses, they contain a subject and a predicate. They can join with a
dependent clause or other independent clauses to make a complex sentence.

I love opening the windows while the warm breeze blows.

Since we enjoyed this book, we'll be sure to pay it forward.
She walked to the grocery store to buy a bouquet of flowers.
Main Clause

Every sentence has at least one main clause, which is a group of words that makes sense
on its own. Main clauses are always independent clauses. Compound sentences have
two main clauses that are related to each other, while complex sentences have a main
clause and at least one dependent clause.

She bought a new computer. (main clause on its own)

She bought a new computer and she purchased a used printer. (two main clauses in a
compound sentence)
She bought a new computer because she needed one. (main clause in a complex
sentence)
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause is not a complete sentence by itself. Standing alone, it would be
considered a sentence fragment, or an incomplete sentence. A dependent clause needs to
be combined with an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

If that's a burrito, I'm having it.

He's mean mainly because he's unhappy.
Let's go for a walk while the sun's still out.
Adverb Clauses

Adverb clauses, also referred to as adverbial clauses, are dependent clauses that function
like an adverb. They modify verbs, other adverbs or adjectives. These clauses are
typically used to elaborate when, where, why, how, how much, or under what condition
the action of the sentence took place.

Since it's just me, I'll eat in tonight.

My dog, although she is shy, loves people.
I keep a suitcase packed, in case I find a great flight to Ireland.
Adjective Clauses

Adjective clauses are dependent clauses that modify nouns and pronouns. These clauses
tend to begin with pronouns such as who, whose, that, or which.

The winners, whose names are posted on the bulletin board, will receive round trip
airfare to Mexico City.
Money that is well spent will last forever.
Exercise, which many people dislike, is good for you.
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Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a group of words that band together and act like a noun. Nouns clauses
are used when a single word isn't enough. They're always dependent clauses. They often
begin with words like how, that, what, when, where, which, who, and why.

How he behaved was not acceptable.

She didn't know where she was.
Her favorite part of the book was when the dragon turned into a boy.
Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is a dependent clause that only has meaning in the context of a
main clause to which it is connected. For example, in the example,”She bought a new
computer because she needed one,” the phrase “because she needed one” is a
subordinate clause. It would not make sense without the main clause that tells what
“one” refers to (a computer). They include subordinating conjunctions.

We became very sleepy after eating lunch.

Once he became manager, Mike became very standoffish.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I plan to unpack and take a nap.
Conditional Clause

A conditional clause is a type of subordinate clause. This type of clause is used to

convey something that is possibly or probably going to happen. It usually begins with a
conditional conjunction such as “if” or “unless.”

If traffic isn’t heavy, I expect to pick you up at 4 p.m.

I’ll be home in time for dinner unless my boss decides I have to work late.
We should have a lot of fresh tomatoes by August if all goes well with the garden.
Relative Clause

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun,
such as which, that, whom, whose, when, where, or who. These clauses typically
identify or provide detail about the noun that comes before them in a sentence.

Our neighbor who moved in last year wants to borrow the chainsaw.
Plant it in the back corner of the yard where the tree fell last winter.
My dog that will eat just about anything really hates pumpkin flavored food.
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Connecting Independent Clauses
You might've noticed that many independent clauses can be joined together simply by
adding a comma, though some require a conjunction, either on its own or with a
comma. Semicolons are another option for connecting independent clauses. They are
best suited for joining two independent clauses or in connection with a conjunctive
adverb.

Connecting Dependent Clauses

Dependent clauses can connect to independent clauses with no punctuation or with a

comma. For example, commas are important for wrapping around clauses that function
as parenthetical expressions, but are generally not otherwise needed to connect a
dependent clause to one that is independent.

Importance of Clauses

By correctly using different types of clauses, you can quickly improve the quality of
your writing as well as your ability to communicate with an audience. Clauses help you
direct the attention of the reader so that your sentences are understood. Proper usage
will also help you avoid dreaded sentence fragments and run on-sentences. To prevent
punctuation issues, make sure you know how to properly punctuate sentences featuring
all kinds of clauses. Review the basic punctuation rules for a refresher.

Mary Gormandy White

Staff Writer
HIGH SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
6TH GRADE
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The Forms and Functions of Clauses in English Grammar

by Heather Johnson
8 years ago

The Forms and Functions of Clauses in English Grammar

The smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete proposition, a clause is
defined as a grammatical structure that contains a subject and a predicate. The English
language has four forms of clauses:

Verb clause
Noun clause
Adjective clause
Adverb clause
Each grammatical form of clause in English performs distinct grammatical functions.
The following sections explain and exemplify the four clauses in English grammar.

Verb Clauses

Verb clauses are defined as independent clauses formed by a subject and a predicate.
For example, the following italicized clauses are examples of verb clauses:

The puppy is barking.

Did you take out the garbage?
Wash your hands!
Verb clauses perform verbal functions. Verbal functions correspond to the forms of
sentences in English: declarative sentences, explanatory sentences, interrogative
sentences, and imperative sentences. The four verbal functions in English grammar are:

Declaration or statement (declarative sentence)

Exclamation (exclamatory sentence)
Question (interrogative sentence)
Command or imperative (imperative sentence)
All sentences contain at least one verb clause. Verb clauses are also referred to as main
clauses.

Noun Clauses

Noun clauses are defined as subordinate clauses formed by a subordinating conjunction

followed by a clause. The subordinating conjunctions in English that introduce noun
clauses are that, Ø, if, whether, wh- words, and wh-ever words. For example, the
following italicized clauses are examples of noun clauses:

The library will send a bill to whoever damaged this book.

Whether you will pay for the damage is not even a question.
The judge has given that you behaved well after your arrest some consideration.
Noun clauses perform nominal functions, or functions prototypically performed by noun
phrases. The nine main functions of noun clauses in English grammar are:

Subject
Subject complement
Direct object
Object complement
Indirect object
Prepositional complement
Noun phrase complement
Adjective phrase complement
Appositive
Noun clauses are also referred to as content clauses.

Adjective Clauses

Adjective clauses are defined as subordinate clauses formed by a subordinating

conjunction followed by a clause. The subordinating conjunctions in English that
introduce adjective clauses are who, whom, that, Ø, which, whose, when, and where.
For example, the following italicized clauses are examples of adjective clauses:

The woman that works in the bakery is my neighbor.

The car you hit belongs to the man whose daughter is my classmate.
The restaurant where you left you purse is known for its unique pasta dishes.
The primary grammatical function of adjective clauses is noun phrase modifier. Noun
phrase modifiers are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that describe or modify a
noun phrase. Adjectives clauses may also, although rarely, function as verb phrase
modifiers, prepositional phrase modifiers, and noun clause modifiers.

Adjective clauses are also referred to as relative clauses. The subordinating conjunctions
that introduce adjective clauses are also called relative pronouns.

Adverb Clauses

Adverb clauses are defined as subordinate clauses formed by a subordinating

conjunction followed by a clause. Some of the more common subordinating
conjunctions in English that introduce adverb clauses include:

after
although
because
before
even though
if
once
since
so that
though
unless
until
when
whereas
while
For example, the following italicized clauses are examples of adverb clauses:

After she gave the baby a bath, she decided to take a nap.
The girl cannot usually eat beef stew because she is allergic to carrots.
The couple has been saving money so that they can go on a vacation.
All adverb clauses perform the grammatical function of adjunct adverbial. Adjunct
adverbials are words, phrases, and clauses that modify or describe an entire clause by
providing additional information about time, place, manner, condition, purpose, reason,
result, and concession.

The four forms of clauses in English are verb clause, noun clause, adjective clause, and
adverb clause, each of which performs distinct grammatical functions.

Summary

Clauses are grammatical structures that contain a subject and a predicate and are the
smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete proposition.

Verb clauses perform four grammatical functions: declaration, exclamation, question,

and command.

Noun clauses perform nine functions: subject, subject complement, direct object, object
complement, indirect object, prepositional complement, noun phrase complement,
adjective phrase complement, and appositive.
Adjective clauses primarily perform the function of noun phrase modifier but can also
function as verb phrase modifiers, prepositional phrase modifiers, and noun clause
modifiers.

Adverbs perform the single function of adverbial.

References

Hopper, Paul J. 1999. A short course in grammar. New York: W. W. Norton &
Company.
Huddleston, Rodney. 1984. Introduction to the grammar of English. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.

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Written by Heather Johnson

Heather is a writer, librarian, linguist, wife, and mother who loves her husband,
children, dogs, and cats. She has a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in creative
writing and master's degrees in library and information science and English studies with
a concentration in linguistics.

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Time clauses in English Grammar

Adverbial clauses of time consist of two clauses: the main clause and the time clause.
The time clauses begin with: when, whenever, while, as, since, after, before, until, as
soon as, once. The time clause may come before or after the main clause with no change
in meaning. If they refer to the future, the Simple Present is used in the time clause, and
shall/will + infinitive/perfect infinitive or modal + infinitive, or imperative is used in the
main clause.
When a complex clause contains a temporal clause, the time clause has future reference.
The future is normally indicated by will/shall ('shall' with 'I/we') but not in the
subordinate clause.

Peter will return soon. Then he will telephone you.

Peter will telephone you when / as soon as he returns.
That has a future reference. Future is marked by the main clause.

We may use Present Simple or Present Perfect when we expect future.

I will return your book on Monday. I will have read it by then.

We can combine these two sentences into a complex sentence in the following way:
I will return your book on Monday when / as soon as I have read it.

The rule stated for a complex sentence containing a time clause will apply to temporal
clause with future reference introduced by: after, before, till, until, whenever and by
other expressions which could replace when and as soon as like e.g. once, immediately,
the moment, the minute, the day
He will call you immediately / the moment he gets home.
Once you've seen one of his pictures, you've seen them all.

The main clause could be imperative.

Come and see me me as soon as you have a spare minute.

Till / Until
The two words are inter-replacable and they mark the end point of the period of time
and they are associated with the verb denoting an action or lack of action which can
continue during the period ending at that point.

Wait till I come / I return.

Don't leave / You mustn't leave Waiting will continue throughout the period. 'Leave' and
'go' in the affirmative could not replace 'wait' (in the first sentence) since they denote
actions performed at the point of time not continuing through the period.
Since
When it introduces a time clause, it can mark the beginning of the period of time which
continues until now or until then. In temporal clause a verb in the past can mark the
beginning of the period while the verb in the main clause is Present Perfect of the period
which continues until now or Past Perfect if it continued till then (in the past).

Since I left school (till now), I've only seen him once.
I met Peter last week since we left school (till then), we had often written to each other.

And 'since' followed by a verb in Present or Present Perfect referring to activity having
during and still continuing means: 'during the period when'.

Since we've left we met many people.

We cannot replace 'left' by 'came' because it refers to an activity.

While
It can mean 'during the period that'
A. The postman arrived while I was having a bath.
B. I was doing my homeowork while the children were playing.
C. Peter waited while I had a bath.

In A and B 'while' can be replaced by 'when' and 'as' but 'while' C could be replaced by
'as' but not usually by 'when' ( 'when' refers to definite time that ... )

I cut myself when I was shaving.

The robber was arrested as e was leaving the bank.

EXERCISES
Grammar exercises - Time clauses
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Time Clauses
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Time Clauses

A time clause is a dependent clause that begins with a “time word” (when, after, as soon
as, etc.). Time clauses follow their own special rules for tense combinations. Therefore,
the correct verb tense in a time clause may be different from what you expect.
Future Time Clauses

A future time clause uses the simple present or present perfect, with the simple present
generally being preferred:

The meeting will begin as soon as everyone arrives. (simple present,

preferred)

The meeting will begin as soon as everyone has arrived. (present perfect)

Do not use will or be going to in future time clauses:

We will go out for dinner after the meeting will be over. (INCORRECT)

We will go out for dinner after the meeting is over. (CORRECT)

I am going to review the file before I am going to meet with the client. (INCORRECT)

I am going to review the file before I meet with the new client. (CORRECT)
Past Time Clauses with “Before” or “After”

When before or after is the time word, you can use two simple past verbs in a sentence
that would normally require one past perfect verb and one simple past verb. The past
perfect is not required because the inclusion of before or after makes the difference in
times clear:

Rick’s daughter locked herself in her room after he had grounded her. (past perfect)

Rick’s daughter locked herself in her room after he grounded her.

(simple past)

She had stayed in her room for two days before she finally emerged. (past perfect)

She stayed in her room for two days before she finally emerged. (simple past)

Time Clauses with “Since”

When a time clause begins with since, the verb can be in either the present perfect or the
simple past tense.

When the time clause action ended in the past, use simple tense:

Rick hasn’t spoken to Emily since he grounded her last week.

When the time action began in the past but continues into the future, use present perfect:

Emily hasn’t spoken to her friends since she’s been grounded.

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Time Clauses: an explanation, rules and exercise
by Phil Williams | Jan 7, 2014 | Grammar | 58 comments

Time clauses are used in English to demonstrate a period of time based on an action or
event, similar to dependent clauses in conditional sentences.
For example, I will cook dinner when I get home. ‘When I get home’ is a clause
demonstrating a point in time, based on an action/event (the time that I get home), in
place of a time such as I will cook dinner at 7pm.
Time clauses are grammatical units that require subjects, verbs and objects, but they do
not always use the same verb rules as the main clause. This article will tell you all about
them!
Identifying a time clause
Time clauses are started with adverbs or adverb phrases that show they represent a time
(sometimes also functioning as subordinating conjunctions). These include when, after,
until, as soon as, before. A clause that starts with an adverb of time like this is not
usually a complete grammatical idea, as they work as subordinating conjunctions:
When the sun sets,
Before the first lesson begins,
After my teacher arrives,
Although they have a subject, verb and object, none of these are complete ideas, as they
simply point to a time, similar to a clause that simply says “At 7pm.”
This is because when we form a time clause, the adverb of time joins two ideas, linking
the main clause to the time in a dependent way. The two clauses could be separate
sentences without the adverb of time. Consider the following two clauses:
I will master English. I will complete every exercise in my textbook.
Either of these could become a time clause, and therefore make the main clause
dependent on the timing of the other:
I will master English after I complete every exercise in my textbook.
When I master English, I will complete every exercise in my textbook.
Notice, however, that the time clause is no longer in the future tense. Time clauses must
be adjusted for certain grammar rules. So watch out for clauses starting with adverbs of
time, then consider the following rules.
Time Clause Rules
Patterns for forming time clauses are similar to those for regular clauses, with the same
word order (except with an adverb of time first), though time clauses use some
particular tense rules.
Time clauses only use different rules for future tenses; when talking about past or
present events, you can generally use regular tenses for time clauses.
Before we cook pies, we wash our hands.
He came home after he finished work.
We had dinner before we watched the movie.
For the future, we use the present tenses to talk about future times:
He will finish reading the book after he eats dinner. (Not after he will eat dinner.)
They are going to the museum before we arrive. (Not before we are going to arrive.)
I might practice my pronunciation until my friend’s lesson has finished. (Not until my
friend’s lesson will have finished.)
Do not repeat the future tense in clauses with adverbs of time
As you can see in the examples above, when two clauses are joined by adverbs of time
the future form should not be repeated.
She will meet me after it stops raining. (Not after it will stop raining.)
I’ll turn off my computer when he does. (Not when he will.)
Times clauses and the conditionals
Time clauses, or ‘when’ clauses are often compared to ‘if’ clauses. This is a logical
comparison because when discussing the future they are grammatically very similar to
the first conditional.
We will see them when they get here.
We will see them if they get here.
In both cases the main clause is dependent on the second clause. A time clause shows
the event will happen at a certain time, while the if clause shows it will happen if
something else happens. As both make the main clause dependent on another detail
(time or something that is possible), the grammatical construction is the same.
So you can practise your time clause grammar further by developing your
understanding of the first conditional.
Noun phrases
Be careful, because the future tense may still be used if the time adverb introduces a
noun clause. The difference is if the clause is the object of a verb, and not a time clause.
I know when the boat will leave.
This answers the question what (You know what.) rather than when.
Time Clauses Exercise
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by changing one clause into a time
clause, using any of the time adverbs, such as when, after, before, unless, until, as soon
as. The first one has been done for you:
I will read this book. I will eat dinner.
I will read this book after I eat dinner.
He will get wet. He is going swimming.
We are meeting the team. The team is arriving at the station.
I got to work late. I got up late.
The police will catch the criminal. The criminal will make a mistake.
They are going on holiday. They are finishing their exams.
Suggested Answers
He will get wet when he goes swimming.
We will meet the team when they arrive at the station.
I got to work late after I got up late.
The police will catch the criminal when he makes a mistake.
They are going on holiday after they finish their exams.
If you found this article useful, please be aware it is also discussed in the book The
English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide, available in eBook from this website and
paperback format here. Please ask any questions below!

Want to master English grammar?

This article was adapted from The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide; if you
found this useful, the book gives a deep understanding of grammar in use.
Learn More
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April 15, 2013
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January 12, 2021
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What are simple, compound and complex sentences?
July 16, 2014
In "Definitions"
58 Comments
Rachel Reina
Rachel Reina on October 4, 2018 at 17:33
Thanks for this very helpful post! I’m inclined to get a bit fussy, though, when the
explanatory text includes sentences such as “Though the patterns for forming time
clauses are similar to regular clauses, with the same word order (except with an adverb
of time first), but time clauses use particular tense rules.” Patterns for forming time
clauses are similar to those for forming regular clauses, and don’t you want to pick one
or the other of “though” and “but”?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on October 4, 2018 at 18:13
Absolutely right – thanks for pointing it out.
Reply
Peter Fecak
Peter Fecak on April 20, 2019 at 10:26
And what about the sentence: I will lend you the book as soon as I have read it.
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on April 22, 2019 at 09:10
Hi Peter, yes that example is absolutely fine.
Reply
Karen
Karen on June 25, 2019 at 20:49
Respectfully, sir, “Before the first lesson” is not a clause, but a phrase. A clause needs a
verb, so the construction should be something like this:
Before the first lesson begins…
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on June 25, 2019 at 22:19
Hi Karen, thanks for spotting that oversight – I will correct it at once.
Reply
Shafique
Shafique on November 8, 2018 at 12:00
Helping.
Reply
Looder
Looderon November 2, 2019 at 12:08
Very interesting and helpful thanks a lot God bless!
Reply
Dagim Gebrie
Dagim Gebrie on December 20, 2019 at 08:29
would have been good had there been more explanation on the tense rules
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on December 23, 2019 at 16:10
There is more discussion of the tense rules in other articles on the site (and a whole
book about them!) – please do check out the menu button under lessons, pointing to
English Tenses,for more.
Reply
Margaret Sarpong
Margaret Sarpong on April 30, 2020 at 04:05
Thanks for your help
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on May 1, 2020 at 12:21
You’re welcome!
Reply
Wendy
Wendyon February 28, 2020 at 13:50
Hello, Mr. Williams
I have a difficulty understanding the below sentence
” I knew that if things were going to improve, I was the one responsible for making it
happen. (From Atomic Habits) ”
What type of conditionals is it?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on February 28, 2020 at 15:02
Hi Wendy, it’s being used a mixed conditional here, to use a past statement in relation
to an imagined possibility – but I can see why it would unclear as it’s not the most
appropriate form really. It would make more sense to say ‘if things were going to
improve, I would have been the one responsible’, to make it about a past possibility.
Reply
kate
kate on September 14, 2021 at 04:29
‘if things were going to improve, I would be the one responsible’, to make it about a
past possibility.”
Isn’t it unlikely case in the future not past?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on September 15, 2021 at 15:26
Thanks Kate, yes, you’re right thanks for pointing that out – that should’ve been present
perfect for the past possibility, I’ll edit that.
Reply
Mahamat Youssouf
Mahamat Youssouf on March 13, 2020 at 11:11
thank you so much it was beneficial and useful for us
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on March 13, 2020 at 14:38
You are welcome!
Reply
Timothy
Timothy on April 10, 2020 at 07:10
Dear Phil,
You mentioned at the start that “Time clauses are complete ideas that require subjects,
verbs and objects, but they do not always use the same verb rules as the main clause”,
however, in the subsequent para, you wrote “A clause that starts with an adverb of time
like this is not usually a complete idea, as they work as subordinating conjunctions”. I
think i get the idea that time clauses are subordinate clauses and hence are not complete
in that they can’t stand alone like main (i.e. independent) clauses, but i am confused by
the above two sentences. Appreciate if you could clarify the following:
a) When you say a “complete idea”, are you referring to whether a clause can stand on
its own and express an idea (i.e. like a main clause can)?
b) Why is it that you mentioned that time clauses are complete ideas, and yet in the
subsequent para you wrote that such time clauses that start with adverbs of time are not
usually complete ideas.
c) Is it a case where time clauses include the adverbs of time (e.g. when)? If so, may i
know why you wrote that “Time clauses are preceded by adverbs or adverb phrases that
show they represent a time. These include when, after, until, as soon as, before”. In my
view, to say that adverbs precede time clauses would mean that the time clauses simply
start with “the sun sets” instead of “When the sun sets”. However if the adverbs do not
precede (i.e. come before) the time clause and is in fact reckon as part of a time clause,
then i would agree that “When the sun sets” is the time clause itself.
Appreciate your kind advice, thanks!
Regards,
Tim
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on April 10, 2020 at 10:16
Hi Tim,
Thank you for taking the time to point this out – apologies, you are absolutely right that
the wording here was rather clumsy – indeed ‘complete’ has been used in two different
ways as in the first instance my intention was to suggest a time clause is a complete
clause as a grammatical unit, rather than that it makes complete grammatical sense (as
in, we can present a whole grammatical scenario in a time clause, but with the second
meaning as you rightly point out saying that no – it does not form a complete idea
without the context of the main clause).
On your other point, yes you’re right that is rather sloppy word choice – technically the
adverb is a part of a time clause; it precedes the clause to form the time clause, rather
than preceding the time clause – more appropriate would be to say the adverb comes at
the front of the time clause.
Again thank you for pointing these out, I have amended the article accordingly to avoid
future confusion. It’s very useful at this time as I’m in the middle of updating the
website and will be proofing all the old articles to iron out kinks like this!
Best,
Phil
Reply
Tim
Tim on May 3, 2020 at 06:36
Hi Phil, thanks. “Defining clause” meaning the main (i.e. independent clause) correct?
Regards,
Tim
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on May 4, 2020 at 08:53
Ah apologies, that was poor wording – but yes, I meant the main/independent clause,
which in this case defines the situation but is not actually a defining clause in the
grammatical sense of the phrase – I’ll edit that!
Best,
Phil
Reply
Nuria
Nuria on April 29, 2020 at 12:23
Hello! i have a question of that exercises. The phrases that are in Present continuous, are
they in future use or in present tense? If they are in future tense use, would i aplicated
the future´s rule? For example : In 2, we are meeting the team when the team arrives at
the station, it would be good?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on April 29, 2020 at 12:28
Hi Nuria – you’re correct, the present continuous is being used for future meaning here,
and yes your example would work fine. I appreciate this could be a little confusing –
when used for a time clause, unless it’s clearly discussing a timeless rule, the present
tense like that is quite likely to suggest a future arrangement.
Reply
Nuria
Nuria on April 29, 2020 at 13:03
Ok. Thank you so much. Your explication of time clauses has been usefull me. And you
answering very fast 🙂
Reply
Phil
Phil on April 29, 2020 at 13:27
You’re welcome, glad I could help!
Reply
Tim
Tim on May 1, 2020 at 02:39
Hi Phil,
One additional query:
You mentioned “when talking about past or present events, you can generally use
regular tenses for time clauses.” Are you simply saying that if the time clause is about a
present activity (use present tense), if it is about a past activity (use past tense) etc?
Thanks!
Regards,
Tim
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on May 1, 2020 at 12:20
Hi Tim,
Yes, though I think my intention there was to suggest it is the tense we would expect for
the event – without needing to make the time clause too complicated. Often simple
tenses are more appropriate in time clauses than perfect tenses, for example, because we
are marking time with a completed activity, rather than indicating a more complicated
time relationship.
Best,
Phil
Reply
Tim
Tim on May 2, 2020 at 09:04
Hi Phil, sorry to press further, but what exactly are you referring to when you said
“regular tenses”? I simply took it to mean that when using time clauses to refer to the
past, simply use simple past tense (as logically you would expect) and similarly use
simple present tense in a time clause when you are referring to the present. In other
words, we only need to ensure that time clauses referring to future time are in the simple
present tense?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on May 2, 2020 at 11:09
Hi Tim – generally I meant regular in the sense that they are the expected/logical tense,
yes, exactly as you’ve suggested.
Reply
Tim
Tim on May 2, 2020 at 11:42
Dear Phil, thanks so much for your patience. Another point in which i would like to
seek your advice on is again on the part where you mentioned “Time clauses are started
with adverbs or adverb phrases that show they represent a time. These include when,
after, until, as soon as, before. A clause that starts with an adverb of time like this is not
usually a complete grammatical idea, as they work as subordinating conjunctions”.
Since time clauses are subordinate clauses, and we know that subordinate clauses
always begins with subordinate conjunctions (such as when), however, based on the
portion as reproduced above, it seems you are alluding that when is in fact an adverb.
Isn’t “when” functioning as a subordinate conjunction and not as an adverb in the time
clause?
Regards,
Tim
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on May 5, 2020 at 16:51
Hi Tim, sorry for the slow response on this one; that’s a good question. You are right
that it could technically be defined as a subordinate conjunction, but, for example,
‘when”s adverb function can also define “at/on which” for time, as opposed to the
conjunctive use for “at/after/during” a time – as both uses include “at” for defining time,
there is some murkiness between where exactly it would be an adverb or conjunction.
I’ve referred to it as an adverb here to highlight the familiar word type, but its technical
definition in the context of time clauses could be either an adverb or conjunction,
depending on what we are demonstrating.
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on June 28, 2020 at 11:56
Hi Phil, you mentioned that “Time clauses are used in English to demonstrate a period
of time based on an action or event, similar to dependent clauses in conditional
sentences.
For example, I will cook dinner when I get home. ‘When I get home’ is a clause
demonstrating a point in time, based on an action/event (the time that I get home), in
place of a time such as I will cook dinner at 7pm.”
Are time clauses used to demonstrate “a period of time based on an action/event”, or are
time clauses used to demonstrate “a point in time”? or do you mean the same thing as in
a period of time can refer to a long or short duration of time, and that a “point in time”
simple refers to a short duration of time?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on June 30, 2020 at 09:11
Hi – you’re correct in the latter explanation, wherein I meant a period of time could also
refer to any length of time, including a particular point in time – perhaps it would be
most accurate to say a “period of or point in time”.
Reply
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on June 30, 2020 at 09:42
Thank you for explaining and sorry to probe further, but does “a point in time”
absolutely mean a short duration of time, no matter how short it is?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on June 30, 2020 at 13:14
Hi – essentially, ‘a point’ refers to a specific time relative to a wider range. This doesn’t
necessarily define a duration, but typically focuses on a specific instant (e.g. “at 12
o’clock exactly”) – in different contexts it could refer to different units of time.
For example, ‘1980’ could indicate a specific point in time (‘The company was
established in 1980.’) or a period of time encompassing the duration of a year (‘The
company opened twenty new shops during 1980.’).
Reply
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on July 1, 2020 at 16:30
Thank you Phil for explaining. I think i get what you mean now, just that in my native
tongue we tend to quantify time differently. In any case, I think what you are saying is
that in English, when we say “a point in time”, it can mean either an instant (i.e. at a
specific time such as at 7 o’clock or on 13th June), or it can also mean a duration of
time (however short this duration is), correct?
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on July 1, 2020 at 16:47
Hi – yes, but for the most part, I would say ‘a point in time’ refers to a specific instant –
the duration aspect was only really to say that what we define as a specific instant can
depend on context (7 o’clock is an instant, but 1980 is also an instant relative to a
century). I rather have a habit of making things complicated when I look for ways in
which language can be flexible!
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on December 17, 2020 at 17:17
Hi Phil, so time clauses can refer to a period of time such as “when I was a child” – this
referring to an entire duration of time (i.e. the time when I was a child), or time clauses
can refer to a point of time such as “when I get home” to mean at the exact instance
when I am home.
May I know if the above is what you meant when you said “Time clauses are used in
English to demonstrate a period of or point in time based on an action or event, similar
to dependent clauses in conditional sentences”?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on December 21, 2020 at 15:29
Hi Vegito,
Yes that’s the idea, you have understood correctly.
Phil
Reply
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on July 2, 2020 at 01:44
Hi Phil,
As a conjunction, “When” can mean either “At or during the time that”, or “After”.
Firstly, using the example “I will cook dinner when I get home”, “When” here is
functioning as a conjunction, right?
Secondly, “when” here carries the meaning of “after” as in the sentence means the same
as “I will cook dinner after I get home”, correct?
Thirdly, you quoted another example in “I might practice my pronunciation until my
friend’s lesson has finished”. Does this mean that my practice will extend up to the
point when my friend’s lesson finished, and will likely continue past that point, hence
the use of the present perfect “has finished” within the time clause that begins with
“until”?
Lastly, what is/are the difference(s) between your example “I might practice my
pronunciation until my friend’s lesson has finished” (use of present perfect within time
clause) as compared with saying “I might practice my pronunciation until my friend’s
lesson finishes” (use of simple present tense within the time clause)?
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on July 5, 2020 at 10:43
Hi, yes you are correct about the uses of ‘when’. For the other example you are also
correct; the present perfect indicates that the friend’s lesson is ongoing now. It could be
used the same way as the present simple in this sentence without much difference, for
the most part, but that current activity is the emphasis of the present perfect (whereas
the present simple version could be said before the lesson has started, for example).
Reply
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on July 6, 2020 at 14:31
Hi Phil, sorry, to clarify, when you said “For the other example you are also correct”,
are you referring to this example “I might practice my pronunciation until my friend’s
lesson has finished”, and that my understanding of it (i.e. that the example means that
my practice will extend up to the point when my friend’s lesson finished, and will likely
continue past that point, hence the use of the present perfect “has finished”) is correct?
Thanks.
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on July 6, 2020 at 14:46
Hi – yes, that’s what I was referring to; that is the correct understanding of it.
Reply
VegitoBlue
VegitoBlue on July 11, 2020 at 09:45
Hi Phil, to visit again the definition of time clauses, which is “Time clauses are used in
English to demonstrate a period of or point in time based on an action or event, similar
to dependent clauses in conditional sentences.”, as well as the meanings of “when”, I
would like to refer again to two examples “I will cook dinner when I get home” as well
as another example “I loved maths when I was at school”.
“when” can mean either (‘At’ or ‘during the time that’), or (‘as soon as’ or ‘after’).
Firstly, just to seek some re-clarification, is it a case where “I will cook dinner when I
get home” means that I will cook dinner as soon as / after i get home? – and that the
time clause (aka “when” clause) here is used to demonstrate or represent a point in time
(i.e. an instant/moment)?
Secondly, “I loved maths when I was at school” simple means that during the time (i.e.
throughout the whole duration I was at school), I loved maths? – and that the time
clause here is used to demonstrate or represent a period of time (i.e. a duration of time)?
Thank you, and apologies if the queries are abit long, however its just me breaking up
my doubts into individual questions so that its easier to understand (for me). Thanks.
Regards,
Vegito
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on July 12, 2020 at 11:46
Hi Vegito,
Yes you’ve got that right, ‘when I get home’ would be used to demonstrate that point in
time, the arrival at home or soon after, whereas ‘when I was at school’ would represent
a wider duration of time, ‘during the period of time that I was at school’. I’m happy to
help clarify; it sounds like you have a good idea of it.
Phil
Punyo
Punyo on July 6, 2020 at 23:38
Hi Phil, you have said that Time clauses, or ‘when’ clauses are often compared to ‘if’
clauses. This is a logical comparison because when discussing the future they are
grammatically very similar to the first conditional.
We will see them when they get here.
We will see them if they get here.
We know that we can begin a sentence with a subordinate ‘if’ clause, similarly can we
begin a sentence with subordinate Time clause ‘when’ too? If yes, then would you
please tell whether the following example for Time clause is right or not-
When all your dreams fade away, I’ll still shine as reality!
Thanks
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on July 8, 2020 at 14:53
Hi Punyo,
Yes, you are correct, clauses starting with ‘when’ can be moved in a similar way to ‘if’
clauses. Your example does work, yes (and is rather poetic!).
Reply
David
David on November 7, 2020 at 01:02
Hello, I have a problem figuring out how does the following sentence work.
“They’ve been living with his mother while they look for a house.”
Shouldn’t the sentence look like this? “They’ve been living with his mother while
looking for a house.”
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on November 9, 2020 at 11:20
Hi David,
Very good question as that’s one that’s got some ambiguity around it. The fact is both
work here – unlike regular clauses, we can use the present simple to show a
temporary/process action in a time clause, so “while we do” effectively has the same
meaning as “while we are doing”. Because this is possible, we tend to go with the
simpler option, and use the continuous if we want to emphasise that this is a process.
So, your two examples would essentially be understood the same way, but “while
looking for a house” draws more attention to the house search being a process.
Reply
Shizuka
Shizuka on November 21, 2020 at 12:00
Hi Phil,
Appreciate your advice on the following three points.
Firstly, You mentioned at the start of this article that “Time clauses are started with
adverbs or adverb phrases that show they represent a time (sometimes also functioning
as subordinating conjunctions)” – just to clarify, “they” in this sentence refers to “time
clauses”, and the point is that time clauses simply represent a time, correct?
Secondly, you went on to mention that “These include when, after, until, as soon as,
before. A clause that starts with an adverb of time like this is not usually a complete
grammatical idea, as they work as subordinating conjunctions” – just to clarify, “they”
in this sentence refers to the adverbs of time (e.g. when, after, until, as soon as, before)?
Thirdly, your point in the sentence “These include when, after, until, as soon as, before.
A clause that starts with an adverb of time like this is not usually a complete
grammatical idea, as they work as subordinating conjunctions” is that sometimes these
adverbs of time also function as subordinating conjunctions? If so, what is the
difference and also when does the adverbs of time function as adverbs, and when do
they function as subordinating conjunctions?
Regards,
Shizuka
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on November 22, 2020 at 11:21
Hi Shizuka,
(1) Yes, that’s right, “they” meaning the time clause.
(2) Correct again, this “they” refers to the adverbials.
(3) The difference here would be if they’re connecting a verb clause or phrase; we may
indicate a time with an adverbial phrase with a time, for example, which won’t include a
verb, so in that case it’s not a conjunction. “We will come home after 10pm.” (adverb) /
“We will get come after we have have been to the theatre.” (subordinating conjunction).
That said, this indicates whether we have a clause of phrase following the verb but
technically it’s doing the same “adverb of time” job in both cases: “We will come home
[adverb of time] + [phrase / clause of time].”
Reply
Shizuka
Shizuka on December 17, 2020 at 15:40
Hi Phil,
I was re-reading this article when the following caught my eye “Time clauses only use
different rules for future tenses; when talking about past or present events, you can
generally use regular tenses for time clauses”. When you say “regular tenses”, what
exactly do you mean?
Regards,
Shizuka
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on December 21, 2020 at 15:28
Hi Shizuka,
Sorry I missed this one – yes, I can see “regular” might be the clearest word there, what
I mean is the tense that you would expect to see, considering the usual rules (i.e. if it
wasn’t a time clause). Whereas with future tenses, it’s not necessarily the same tense
that we would expect if it was not put into a future time clause:
I will put out the garbage.
But:
I am going to sleep after I put out the garbage.
Phil
Reply
Michael Perry
Michael Perry on September 26, 2021 at 11:40
Hi, Phil, it should be “The team is arriving,” not “The team are arriving.” The team, in
this case, is used as a singular. If you said “The members of the team are arriving,” then
ARE is correct. Similar to “The staff is trying to decide where to go for lunch.”
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on September 27, 2021 at 10:38
Hi Michael, thanks for pointing that one out. Occasionally using plurals with group
nouns is one of my language vices (and one I do think can be argued in colloquial
usage) but certainly, for accuracy’s sake this one should be singular.
Reply
Sadra Hakim
Sadra Hakim on April 17, 2022 at 06:04
Hi dear Phil,
You mentioned that “Time clauses only use different rules for future tenses; when
talking about past or present events, you can generally use regular tenses for time
clauses.”.
Does this mean that if we’re talking about future arrangements, we must use the present
tense in the conditional sentence?
On other hand, if we’re not talking about the future, we can use any kind of tenses in
time clauses. Am I right? (At this point, does this rule apply to both clauses? I mean can
we use any tenses in both the time clause and the other clause?)
I have a little problem with tenses in this grammar.
Regards,
Sadra
Reply
Phil Williams
Phil Williams on April 19, 2022 at 08:17
Hi Sadra,
Essentially yes – it’s always tricky to offer complete absolutes in English, as there are
always exceptions, but generally speaking for the future the time clauses will be in the
present tense, for the present we’ll most likely also use present tense time clauses, and
past sentences are likely to use past tenses. There are cases where there will be other
mixes, but it’s essentially a case of logically connecting the time clause tense with the
other tense – when it comes to the future, we typically use the present tense for
arrangements/schedules, so this logically fits future time clauses, which will be
established points in time (whereas the other future tense forms, “will” and “going to
be”, usually have some determinate quality, for less established factual points in time). I
hope this makes sense!
Phil
Reply
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