This document discusses dependent clauses. It explains that a dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction like when, before, or after and contains both a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It provides examples of using dependent clauses with time words like when, after, and before to order and describe events. Finally, it discusses the difference between using when and while to show interruption between two past actions.

1. UNIVERSIDAD TÉCNICA PARTICULAR DE LOJA
ESCUELA DE LENGUAS MODERNAS Y LITERATURA
GENERAL ENGLISH III
Dra. María Arias Córdova

2. DEPENDENT CLAUSES
What is a clause?
Richards (1995) explains
that a clause is a group of
words which form a
grammatical unit and
which contain a subject
and a verb. A clause forms
a sentence or part of a
sentence and often
functions as a
noun, adjective, or
A dependent clause often
begins with time words
such as when, before, and
after.
The dependent clause can
come at the beginning or
end of a sentence.
Use a comma(,) after
dependent clauses that
come at the beginning of a
sentence.
Do not use a comma when
a dependent clause comes
at the end of a sentence.

3. DEPENDENT CLAUSES
WHEN
Use when + present time verbs to
talk about habits.
- When I need to concentrate, I
turn off the TV.
- When I don´t understand a
word, I use a dictionary.
- When I feel tired, I drink some
coffee.

4. DEPENDENT CLAUSES
AFTER
Use after to order events in a
sentence. After introduces the first
event. Use after with the simple
present to talk about habits.
- After they go to the park, they go
swimming.
- After Bob finishes his
homework, he takes a break.
- After I have dinner, I watch TV.

5. DEPENDENT CLAUSES
BEFORE
Use before to order events in a
sentence. Before introduces the
second event.
- Before she eats breakfast, she
reads the newspaper.
- Before Sandy goes to work, she
buys a newspaper.
- She reads the newspaper before
she eats breakfast.

6. WHEN AND WHILE
Use when or while with
the past continuous and
simple past to show that
one past action
interrupted another
past action.
Use while with the past
continuous to show the
action that was
happening before the
interruption.
Examples:
- When the fire
started, they were
sleeping.
- While they were
sleeping, the fire started.

7. FINALLY…
THANK YOU!