This document summarizes the uses of several common subordinating conjunctions that indicate time relationships in sentences: - Before indicates something happens prior to another event. - By the time also refers to something happening prior, but emphasizes it occurs right before another event. - After refers to something happening following or subsequent to another event. - When can refer to a specific time or moment that something occurs. It is interchangeable with once or as soon as. - Not until contrasts with once and as soon as by indicating something cannot happen until a specific time or event. - While refers to something occurring simultaneously during another event or time period.

1. Subordinating Conjunctions - Time
by the time
After
While
as soon as
once
Before When
until
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2. Before – prior to an event
I take a shower before I get dressed.
Before I get dressed, I take a shower.
Before you go in the house, take your shoes off.
Take this medicine before you go to sleep.
Take your shoes off before you go in the house.
Before you go to sleep, take this medicine.

3. By the time – prior to an event
I will be hungry by the time I get home.
By the time I get home, I will be hungry .
By the time you arrive, I will finish the report.
They had left by the time the party started getting fun.
I will finish the report by the time you arrive.
By the time the party started getting fun, they had left.

4. After– following an event
He was sad after he lost the game.
After he lost the game, he was sad.
After you finish the report, please send me a copy.
The air smells so good after it rains.
Please send me a copy after you finish the report.
After it rains, the air smells so good.

5. When – a specific time
Call me when you get home.
When you get home, call me.
When the eggs turn white, flip them.
Send me the report when you finish it.
Flip the eggs when they turn white.
When you finish the report, sent it to me.

6. When = Once / As soon as
Call me once you get home.
As soon as you get home, call me.
As soon as the eggs turn white, flip them.
Send me the report as soon as you finish it.
Flip the eggs once they turn white.
Once you finish the report, sent it to me.

7. Not Until ≠ Once / As soon as
You cannot leave until I get home.
You can leave as soon as I get home.
I can get a job once I graduate.
We never leave until the game is over.
I cannot get a job until I graduate.
We leave only after the game is over.

8. While = during
I got my job while I was in college .
While I was in college, I got my job.
While I was on vacation, I got sick.
The earthquake happened while I was sleeping.
I got sick while I was on vacation.
While I was sleeping, the earthquake happened.

9. Thanks for Learning
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