Adverb clauses bring variety of information to sentences – time, place, manner, condition, concession, purpose, and more. Information on time, provided by adverb clause of time, is the topic of this post.
You can divide adverb clause of time into three types, depending on when the event in the adverb clause happens with respect to the matrix clause.
Learn more: This post covers just one adverb clause. Learn other types of adverb clause.
1. Adverb clause of time (before)
The event in the matrix clause happens before the event in the adverb clause. (Matrix clause is what’s left after removing subordinate clause. In the sentence The construction crew worked tirelessly until the last beam was securely in place, for example, The construction crew worked tirelessly is matrix clause.)
The adverb clause is introduced mainly by subordinating conjunctions until, till, and before. Till is used much the same way as until but much less often. Examples:
The committee finalized the report before the deadline was extended due to unforeseen circumstances. [The event in the matrix clause (finalizing the report) happens before the event in the adverb clause (extension of deadline).]
The construction crew worked tirelessly until the last beam was securely in place.
The researchers continued their experiments till they obtained conclusive results.
You’ll notice that the matrix clause shows duration – and not a point of time – when the adverb clause is introduced by till or until, but need not in case of before.
1.1. Mixed signals: The clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
As is so common with adverb clauses, adverb clauses of time (before) can convey multiple meanings simultaneously.
Before-clause
The clause introduced by before can show meaning of purpose and meaning of time simultaneously:
We had to complete the necessary forms before they would process our refund. [Purpose: We had to complete the necessary forms so that they…. Or We had to complete the necessary forms to get our refund processed.]
If the matrix clause is imperative, the clause introduced by before can show meaning of condition and meaning of time simultaneously:
Let the team finish the presentation before you ask any questions. [Condition: Don’t ask any questions if the team hasn’t finished the presentation.]
Check all the safety protocols before you start the machine. [Condition: Don’t start the machine if you haven’t checked all the safety protocols.]
Until-clause
And the clause introduced by until may convey meaning of result and meaning of time simultaneously:
The negotiations continued until both parties concluded a mutually beneficial agreement. [Result: The negotiations resulted in both parties concluding a mutually beneficial agreement.]
They kept climbing the mountain until they reached the summit. [Result: Climbing up the mountain resulted in reaching the summit.]
2. Adverb clause of time (same time)
The events in matrix clause and adverb clause happen simultaneously. The adverb clause is introduced mainly by subordinating conjunctions such as as, as long as, so long as, while, whilst, when, whenever, and now (that), with the last three showing other time (after) relationship as well. (Understand the difference between when and whenever.) Examples:
She smiled as he walked into the room.
We will support the project as long as it meets the budget constraints.
The children play outside so long as the weather remains pleasant.
She read a book while she waited for her appointment.
He prepared dinner whilst she set the table.
I feel relaxed when I read a book in the evening.
When the bell rings, the students will leave the classroom. [Incorrect. The two events don’t happen simultaneously. It’s an example of adverb clause of time (after).]
They chat about their day whenever they have dinner together.
Now that the guests are arriving, the party is in full swing.
2.1. Mixed signals: The clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
Adverb clauses introduced by as long as and so long as may simultaneously convey meaning of condition and meaning of time.
You can use my laptop as long as you handle it with care. [Condition: You can use my laptop provided that you handle it with care.]
You can remain a member of this club so long as you pay the membership fees and attend at least one event each month.
Adverb clauses introduced by now that may convey meaning of reason and meaning of time, simultaneously.
Now that the project is completed, we can finally relax and enjoy our success. [Reason: Completion of the project is the reason to relax and enjoy]
Now that we have secured the funding, we can proceed with the construction and meet our deadlines.
3. Adverb clause of time (after)
The event in the matrix clause happens after the event in the adverb clause. The adverb clause is introduced mainly by subordinating conjunctions such as after, as soon as, now (that), once, since, when, and whenever. In British English, directly and immediately too can introduce such clauses. Examples:
She called me after she arrived at the airport.
Call me as soon as you get home.
Now that you are here, we can begin the presentation.
She will join us once she finishes her meeting.
Since he moved to the city, he has made many new friends.
We will have dinner when the food is ready.
Whenever it rains, the roads become slippery.
3.1. Mixed signals: The clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
Adverb clause introduced by now (that) may convey meaning of circumstance as well as meaning of time. Examples:
Now (that) the storm has passed, we can go outside and assess the damage. [With the circumstance that the storm has passed…]
Adverb clause introduced by after, when, and whenever may convey meaning of cause and meaning of time. Examples:
When(ever) the storm hits, we usually lose power. [Cause: Storm is the cause behind loss of power.]
After the meeting ends, the office feels much quieter.
Adverb clause introduced by when, whenever, and once may convey meanings of condition and meaning of time. Examples:
When you finish your homework, you can go out to play. [You can go out to play on the condition of finishing your homework.]
The alarm will sound whenever someone opens the door.
Once you sign the contract, the project will officially begin.
Adverb clauses of time can be non-finite as well
We typically associate adverb clauses with what we’ve seen so far, the ones with subject and finite verb. (Grammatically speaking, these are finite adverb clauses.) But adverb clauses can be non-finite as well.
(Finite vs. non-finite clause: If you don’t know what finite and non-finite clauses are, here is a simplified difference between the two. A finite clause contains a finite verb. It’s another term for noun clause, relative clause, and adverb clause. A non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb. It’s another term for infinitive phrase, participial phrase, and gerund phrase.)
Examples:
After finishing her meal, she went for a run.
They completed their tasks before heading out for the day.
Since finishing her degree, she has been working in her field.
Until exhausted by the long hours of work, she remained focused.
While surprised by the results, she maintained her composure.
When finished with her tasks, she joined the team for lunch.
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Adverb clause of proximity
Adverb clause of time (before and after) show proximity in time.
In the sentence Call me as soon as you get home, for example, as soon as shows closeness in time between the two events, which after doesn’t in She called me after she arrived at the airport. This has been covered in-depth in the post on adverb clause of proximity.
