In english, subordinating conjunctions of time join two clauses like independent clause and dependent clause by when, while, before, after, till, until, as soon as, once, etc.
Purpose of subordinating conjunctions of time
In other words, subordinating conjunctions of time introduce depending clause that can’t construct total meaning without main clause.
Symply put, subordinating conjunctions of time form complex sentence by connecting main or independent clause and dependent or subordinating clause.
As per the standard textbooks of grammar, following is a list of subordinating conjunctions of time.
1.To express previous time –Before
2.To describe concurrent time — when, as soon as, once.
3. Conjunctions expressing subsequent time — After
4.Conjunctions for Upto a certain time — Until, till
5.To express Any time any where — whenever.
These are general classification of the subordinating conjunctions of time. It is based on the meaning they produce in sentence.
Understanding subordinating conjunctions of time
Subordinating conjunctions “Before” to express previous time
Subordinating conjunctions before
Subordinating conjunctions “Before” used to introduce adverb clause of time to express previous events.
Clause introduced by “Before” describes previously stated action.
A.Using “Before” subordinating clause”
Have a look at the following examples showing usages of “Before” conjunction of time as subordinating clause.
I will arrange a car before the train arrives. (future + simple present)
He exercises in the morning before he leaves for office. (simple present + simple present)
Perfect past+simple past
She had planned well before they left for forest safari. (perfect past + simple past)
Burglars had ran away before cops reached at the spot.( Perfect Past+ simple Past)
Cyclone had already reached at the coast before concerning authority warned local fishing community there. (Perfect past tense + simple past tense)
Government will procure enough fertilizers for upcoming Kharif season before farmers put demand for it.( Simple future tense + simple present tense).
Subordinating conjunctions “before” to form complex sentences
In english language, there are four types of sentences like:-
- Simple sentence
- Complex sentence
- Compound sentence
- Mixed sentence
Among all, complex sentence is formed with main clause and one or more depending clause or subordinating clause.
Main clause+subordinating or depending clause
1.We left before it started raining.
- We left — Depending clause
- It started raining — Main clause
2. I practice well before I solve paper.
- I practice well — Main clause
- I solve paper — Depending clause
3. Tony exercised rigorously before he played tennis.
4. She reached at the exam hall before the exam began.
5. Our coach instructed details before our match started.
B.Subordinating Conjunctions expressing subsequent time — After
Unlike “Before” Conjunction that expresses previous time, After” subordinating conjunction describes subsequent time or later time in sentence.
As per rules, Comma’ is placed earlier to subordinating conjunctions when they used in middle of the sentence after main clause.
Otherwise, comma is not necessary when placed at the beginning.
Examples and usages of “After” subordinating conjunction of time
“After” conjunction is used to connect two events as per the order and the sequence of time. In such sentences, action of “before clause” occurs earlier to the action of main clause.
Let’s see some simple examples of “After” conjunction of time.
1.First, I will water the land. (main clause)
2. After they finish the process of sowing. (times subordinating clause)
- Example — I will water the land after they finish the process of sowing.
It means that I can only water when they finish the process of sowing.
1.Second, I will ride the bike. (Main clause).
2.After I receive my driving license. (Subordinating clause of time)
- I will ride a bike after I receive my driving license.
1.I will attend the ceremony.(Main clause).
2.My parents permit to go. (Subordinating clause of time)
- Third, I will attend the ceremony after my parents permit to go.
Tense used in “After subordinating clause”
Here are some important tips regarding the use of tense in conjunction of time “After and before”.
Future tense is generally avoided in the dependent clause as per the rules.
Instead, simple present is used to express future meaning. But, future tense is used in the main clause.
Some more examples of “After” subordinating conjunction
1.I will send your luggage after I receive it.
2.US will permit Chinese export after China assures fair use of technology.
3. Law will become operational after legislature approves it in winter session.
Now, let’s see the correct usages of subordinating conjunctions for concurrent time.
When, while, as, as soon as, no sooner than, once are the examples of Conjunctions expressing concurrent time.
Subordinating Conjunctions for concurrent time
First of all let’s see When and while conjunctions
When and while conjunctions are used to join two different actions in a specific period of time. Both are conjunctions of time.
“While” is used to express two different actions at the same time; whereas, when is used for two actions in sequence with minimum time gap.
C.Use of when subordinating conjunction
When is used to refer a period of time. It connects two different actions in a same tense.
Suppose, first action is in the present, then other shouldn’t be in the other then present.
Examples of when conjunction
It was the time of tension and insecurity when the world divided into two poles.
1.It was the time of tension and insecurity — main clause
2.When the world divided into two parts –depending clause
He used to visit national parks when he was in the Kenya.
1.He used to visit national parks — main clause
2.When he was in the Kenya — depending clause
When we visited tribal regions, we worked for tribal cause.
1.We worked for tribal cause — main clause
2.When we visited tribal regions — depending clause
In all the three examples, we can notice that when is generally used to show two incidents in the same time.
When is used to express actions in a sequence with minimum gap.
1.When the bus arrived, the passengers had already left the bus stop.
2.We had already covered the ground when it started raining.
3.When they declared ceasefire, thousands of people had been killed.
4.These examples clearly highlight two incidents, happening one after another with minimum time gap.
Here, one is simple, whereas other is in the perfect past.For the future tense actions, simple present is used. “Will” is not used in the when clause.
Examples showing minimum time gap
1.I will assist you when I finish job.
2.Temperature will come down when the carbon emissions decrease.
3.The situation will become serious when the rain delays.
4.Here, when is used like conditional conjunction.
5.It is used to join two interdependent incidents in the sequence.
Generally, when is preferred in the simple tense instead progressive.It is also used to express states in different period of time.
Use of when is more general not specific. For the specific time, while is used.
D.Use of while conjunction
Unlike when, it is used for specific duration because there are two actions are happening at the same time.It means the duration of one should be equal to the other.
Examples of while conjunction
- Both nations were negotiating while people agitating for the settlement.
- Children were enjoying outside while it was raining lightly.
- People are shouting against the firing while senior officials are appealing to calm down.
- His mother is preparing food while he getting ready for school.
All examples show fix duration of time to express two actions.
While conjunction for progressive tense
- While is preferred to use to express continuous tense.
- It is hardly used for simple tense.
- The hidden meaning of ‘while’ is “during that time”.
- Whereas the meaning of “when” is at that time.
- Definite time limitation is essential to use while. But, it is not necessary for when.
This information is enough to understand the use and differences of when and while conjunctions of time. The clear difference and explanation of both conjunctions of time are too confusing to grasp.
As soon as and no sooner than
Clause introduced by the subordinating conjunctions of time, and works as adverbs in the sentence, then, it becomes adverb clause of time.
Landslide occurred as soon as the train left tunnel. (“As soon as the train left the tunnel” is adverb clause of time)When he reached at the hospital, it was too late.(“When he reached at the hospital” is adverb clause of time)She has prepared delicious food before we could reach at home.
E. Subordinating Conjunctions of time for concurrent time “as soon as”
“As soon as” is the subordinating conjunctions of time used to express concurrent time. It is used to introduce dependent adverb clause of time.
“As soon as” is used to connect two actions with minimum time gap in sequence.
“As soon as” is used before noun or pronoun to introduce clause.
Future auxiliary verbs are absent in the dependent clause. Instead, present auxiliary verbs are preferred.
- As soon as + dependent clause + comma + main clause.
- Main clause + as soon as + dependent clause.
To make this more easy and simple, examples of as soon as are essential.
Examples As soon as
- As soon as we reach at the reservation centre, we will let you know about status. (for future sense)
- We will let you know the status as soon as we reach at the reservation centre.
- As soon as it rains, children start enjoying. (for present sense)
In the present tense, both meaning and auxiliary are same. Past simple and perfect are used interchangeably with same meaning.
- He started playing as soon as he declared fit.
- As soon as he came out of injury, he resumed playing.
- Landslide occured as soon as train left tunnel.
- Child started crying as soon as it had noticed mother.
Concurrent time with no sooner than
Like as soon as, “no sooner than” is a subordinating conjunctions of time, and used to introduce adverb clause of time.
“No sooner than” is used before verbs and auxiliary verbs to introduce adverb clause of time.
Here too, future auxiliary verbs are absent. Instead, present tense auxiliary verbs are preferred.“No sooner than” is used to express two actions with negligible time gap in sequence.
No sooner + auxiliary verb + dependent clause + than + main clause.
No sooner + had/did + dependent clause + than + main clause.
Let’s see some useful examples of no sooner than.
Examples Of adverb clause by No sooner than
1.No sooner had the train arrived than I informed you. (generally, no sooner than is used to introduce past statement)
2.No sooner did the train arrive than I informed you. (No sooner than is hardly used in the middle of the sentence)
3.No sooner had they entered in the forest than they heard a roar. (there is no question of comma in such sentences)
4.No sooner did they enter in the forest than they heard a roar.
5.No sooner had the police reached at the spot than the thief ran away.
6.No sooner did the police reach at the spot than the thief ran away.
Conjunction for Upto a time
“Until and till” play the role to express incidents upto the time.
“He studied honestly until he qualified for Olympic”.
It means that he worked as long as he doesn’t get qualification.
You can use my bike till I need it.
Finally, subordinating Conjunctions of time such as “Whenever” “states the time doesn’t matter”.
1.She smiles whenever she watch cartoons.
2. Ask me for help Whenever you need it.
3. Call me whenever you are free.
Last thought on subordinating Conjunctions of time,
So far, I have explained the types of subordinating conjunctions of time with examples. As I explained earlier that subordinating conjunctions of time express concurrent time, subsequent time, upto a time, previous time, and same time between two statements or actions.
Preciously, two incidents, events or descriptions are related referring to time aspects. “Before” Conjunction shows previous time, “After” subsequent.
“When and while” Conjunctions are used to express two events at the same time. And, “As soon as, no sooner than, show greater degree comparatively.
For upto a time and anytime, “Till, until, and whenever” are preferred. Hereon I’m going to provide some solved questions on this same topic.
Solved questions on subordinating Conjunctions of time
Lets take a look at the following simple questions on the subordinating conjunctions of time.
Q. 1. What is the purpose of subordinating conjunctions of time?
Ans: Subordinating Conjunctions of time express concurrent time, subsequent time, upto a time, previous time and anytime by “Whenever”.
These Conjunctions describe the gap between two stated statements. Comma is placed if the conjunction introduces the sentence.
Q. 2. What are the examples of subordinating conjunctions of time?
Ans: Before, after, when, while, until, whenever, as soon as, no sooner than, are the examples of subordinating conjunctions of time in english grammar.
However and nevertheless conjunctions
Adversative coordinating conjunctions
“But and Yet” Contrasting conjunctions
Adverb Clause Of Cause And Reason