Rule 5.

3: Time Clauses - the Past Simple vs the Past Progressive

Expressing past time using time clauses We can show that two ideas are related to each other and also linked to a specific time within the same sentence. There are many times when the Past Simple and Past Continuous are seen in the same sentence. There are also many examples of two clauses using only the Past Simple. This structure usually indicates that the two clauses, or subject + verb structure, are somehow linked. The two ideas are related. when I went to Regina = a time clause* I visited my aunt = a main clause* (a) and (b) have the same meaning. A time clause can: 1. come in front of a main clause, as in (a); 2. follow a main clause, as in (b). When, after, before, and while introduce time clauses. when/after/before/while + subject and verb = a time clause

a) When I went to Regina, I visited my aunt. b) I visited my aunt when I went to Regina. c) After Francois ate dinner, he went to the movies. d) Francois went to the movies after he ate dinner. e) Before I went to bed, I finished my homework. f) I finished my homework before I went to bed. g) While I was having a shower, the phone rang. h) The phone rang while I was having a shower. i) When the phone rang, I was having a shower. j) I was having a shower when the phone rang.

Punctuation: Put a comma at the end of a time clause when the time clause comes first in a sentence (comes in front of the main clause): time clause + comma + main clause main clause + NO comma + time clause

l) When the phone rang, I answered it.

In a sentence with a time clause introduced by when, both the time clause verb and the main verb can be simple past. In this case, the action in the when clause happened first. In (i): First: the phone rang. Then: I answered it.

There are two kinds of clauses --- INDEPENDENT CLAUSES and DEPENDENT CLAUSES:

1 INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. Every sentence contains at least one clause. A simple sentence is a clause that can stand alone --- an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE. All of the sentences below are also independent clauses. Mr. Smith arrived at the airport early this morning. We must find a new strategy. I play basketball. Some sentences contain two or more independent clauses. For example: Mr. Smith arrived early this morning, but I didnt meet him. We must find a new strategy, or we will lose our advantage. I play basketball, George plays baseball, and Fred plays tennis.

2 DEPENDENT CLAUSES
A DEPENDENT CLAUSE functions not as a sentence but as a part of speech (a noun or an adjective or an adverb). Therefore, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is attached to some part of an INDEPENDENT clause. As you can see from the diagram above, there are three types of dependent clause. Let us examine more closely each one.

2.1 TIME CLAUSES TIME CLAUSES act as adverbs and tell us when something happens. They usually begin with words like
when before after as soon as until

2.1.1 PAST TIME CLAUSES

Clauses that refer to past time are formed with the verb in the PAST tense: When I finished my lunch, we played golf. After we played golf, we went to a party. As soon as we arrived at the party, they put the steaks on. Before we ate our steaks, we sat around and talked. Until the party ended, there was plenty of good wine.

2.1.2 FUTURE TIME CLAUSES Clauses that refer to future time are formed with the verb in the PRESENT tense: When I finish my lunch, we will play golf. After we play golf, we are going to go to a party. As soon as we arrive at the party, they will put the steaks on. Before we eat our steaks, we will sit around and talk. Until the party ends, there will be plenty of good wine.

Time Clauses can come either before the main clause or after the main clause: After we play golf, we will go to a party. We will go to a party after we play golf.

2.2 ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Adjective Clauses give information about nouns (people, things, places, etc.). They appear after the noun they describe. Adjective Clauses are also called RELATIVE CLAUSES. I never met the man who took my old job. ("who" as the SUBJECT of the clause) I never met the man that took my old job. ("that" as the SUBJECT of the clause) ["Who" or "that" refer to people.] It was a job which required a lot of creativity. ("which" as the SUBJECT of the clause) It was a job that required a lot of creativity. ("that" as the SUBJECT of the clause) ["Which" or "that" refer to things.] She is a person whom I respect a great deal. ("whom" as the OBJECT of the clause) She is a person that I respect a great deal. ("that" as the OBJECT of the clause) She is a person I respect a great deal. [If "whom" or "that" is the OBJECT of the clause, it may be left out completely.]

This is a place which I know intimately. ("which" as the OBJECT of the clause) This is a place that I know intimately. ("that" as the OBJECT of clause) This is a place I know intimately. [If "which" or "that" is the OBJECT of the clause, it may be left out completely.] I am the person whose car you damaged. I own the car whose door you smashed in. ["Whose" can refer to a person or to a thing.]

Adjective Clauses are not set off by commas if the information is necessary in order to identify the person or thing. The person who is sitting on my right is left-handed. (not the person who is sitting on my left) The gentleman who dropped his wallet will come back for it. (not the gentleman who found it) My brother who lives in Alaska works as a trapper and hunter. (not my other brother who lives in Utah)

Adjective Clauses are set off by commas if the information is not necessary to identify the person or thing. John , who is sitting on my right , is left-handed. (We know who John is.) The governor , who spoke at our banquet , will speak again next year. (We know who the governor is.) My brother , who lives in Alaska , works as a trapper and hunter. (I have only one brother.)

2.3 NOUN CLAUSES

NOUN CLAUSES act as simple nouns and identify persons, places, things, etc. They are introduced by words such as: how if that what when where whether which

who whom whomever whose why

2.3.1 A NOUN CLAUSE AS THE SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE: What he had to say to us was incredible. Where we slept is not worth mentioning. Whether we will dominate the market is open to question. That sales have gone up is good news indeed. Who gets the credit for a good idea should not be important. Why she said that is a mystery to me.

2.3.2 A NOUN CLAUSE AS THE OBJECT OF A SENTENCE: I will never understand how we arrived on time. I don't know when he resigned. I'd like to see if he can manage it. I will hire whomever I like. I don't know which one is best. Tell me whose car you are driving.