Definition / Explanation
Time linkers connect two actions and show how they relate in time. Words like when, before, after, and while help explain order or overlap. They are very common in instructions, stories, and everyday plans. For example, before shows that one action happens earlier, and while shows that two actions happen at the same time. These small words make time relationships much clearer.
Key Rules
- Use when for one time connected to another action: Call me when you arrive.
- Use before for an earlier action: Wash your hands before you eat.
- Use after for a later action: We went home after the film ended.
- Use while for actions happening at the same time, often with a longer background action.
- After these linkers, use a normal clause with a subject and verb.
Examples
- Call me when you arrive.
- Wash your hands before you eat.
- We went home after the film ended.
- She listened to music while she was cooking.
- I saw him when I was leaving.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Call me when arrive you. -> ✅ Call me when you arrive.
- ❌ Wash your hands before eat. -> ✅ Wash your hands before you eat.
- ❌ She listened to music while cooking she was. -> ✅ She listened to music while she was cooking.