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A2CEFRGrammar12 min

Grammar: Time Clauses with Present Simple

Moving to a new home

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📦 Moving to a new home • Grammar ⏱️ 12 minutes

Time clauses with when / while / before / after / as soon as + present simple

Learn how to connect two actions in the future using simple time words.

👩‍🏫 For teachers

Present the rule cards and ask learners to read the underlined parts aloud in 4 minutes.

Let learners complete the 12 tasks in 8 minutes and check answers together using the clue words.

🎒 For learners

First, read the 4 short rules and look at the underlined words.

Next, do the 12 practice exercises from easy to hard.

Rule Table

4 Core Rules
1

No "will" in the time part

After when, before, after, while and as soon as we use the present simple for a future time.
We do not use will in that part, so we say when we arrive and never when we will arrive.

Example 1 We will have a cup of tea when the helpers leave.
Example 2 When we arrive, we will start to unpack.
2

The comma rule

The time part can come first or second.
When it comes first we put a comma after it, but when it comes second we use no comma.

Time part first (comma) Before the van comes, we close the last box.
Time part second (no comma) I will explore the porch after I find the carpet.
3

Order of events: before and after

Before and after tell us which thing happens first.
The thing with after happens first, and the thing with before happens second.

Example with after We will say hello to the neighbour after we carry in the sofa.
Example with before Before we unpack the bubble wrap, we will find a helper.
4

Together or straight away: while and as soon as

While means two things happen at the same time.
As soon as means the first thing happens and the other follows straight away, with nothing in between.

Example with while While the helpers unpack the kitchen, I will clean the bedroom.
Example with as soon as I will decorate the room as soon as the truck leaves.
⚡

GOLDEN RULE: Never use "will" right after when, while, before, after, or as soon as!

Task 1: Choose the correct sentence

Pick the sentence that follows the rules. Clues are shown in brackets.

1. Which sentence is correct? (will)

____ We will pack the cardboard boxes as soon as the truck arrives ____ We will pack the cardboard boxes as soon as the truck will arrive ____ We pack the cardboard boxes as soon as the truck will arrive

2. Which sentence means the two things happen at the same time? (together)

____ I will clean the porch after my brother paints the door ____ I will lay the carpet while my brother paints the door ____ I will lay the carpet before my brother paints the door

3. Which sentence is correct when the time part comes second? (comma)

____ We will meet our neighbour when he will move his car ____ We meet our neighbour when he will move his car ____ We will meet our neighbour when he moves his car

Task 2: Join the sentences

Join the two sentences using the time word in brackets. Remember: do not use will in the time part!

4. Join these sentences with before: (second)

We will wrap the mirror in bubble plastic. We will put it into the truck.

Type the complete sentence:

____

5. Join these sentences with after: (first)

The helper will carry the heavy sofa. We will rest on the porch.

Type the complete sentence (start with 'We will rest on the porch'):

____

6. Join these sentences with as soon as: (quick)

The truck will stop outside. We will unpack our boxes.

Type the complete sentence (start with 'We will unpack our boxes'):

____

Task 3: Fill the gaps

Choose or type the correct word to complete each sentence.

7. Complete the sentence: (now)

The helper will lift the heavy box when you [ open / will open ] the door.

____ open ____ will open

8. Choose the correct time word: (first)

We will explore the new garden _____ we lay down the carpet in the hall. (Laying the carpet happens first).

____ after ____ before

9. Complete the main action: (together)

I _____ the living room while my sister paints the kitchen.

____ will decorate ____ decorate

Task 4: Correct the error in the message

Read each short text message to a friend and fix the mistake.

10. Fix the error in this text message: (will)

💬 "Hi Sam! We will eat lunch before we will unpack the cardboard boxes."

Write the correct verb form for the underlined part:

____

11. Fix the wrong time word: (order)

💬 "We want clean floors! We will put down the carpet before the painters finish their work tomorrow."
(The painters must finish their work first, so the carpet stays clean!)

Write the correct time word to replace 'before':

____

12. Fix the error in this message to a neighbour: (timing)

💬 "Hello! Please come over to our porch as soon as our friends will arrive with the truck."

Write the correct verb form for the underlined part:

____
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