TIME CLAUSES

Anteriority
Main clause Time clause
Past Simple
After/(when)
Past Perfect
The children went up to bed after they had finished their work.

Main clause Time clause
Future Simple
After/(when)
Present perfect
The children will play in the garden after they have finished their work.

Main clause Time clause
Future in the Past
After/(when)
Past Perfect
My friend explained to his parents that he would go abroad after he had passed his exams.

Simultaneity
Main clause Time clause
Past Simple
When/whenever
Past Simple
Mary visited us whenever she was free.

Main clause Time clause
Future in the Past
When
Past Simple
I was sure they would like this book when they understood it.

Main clause Time clause
Future Simple
When/while
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Margaret will tell us the truth when she knows it.
The boy will play in the park while his mother is making a cake.
time clause + comma + main clause
main clause + NO comma + time clause
Note: Time clause can also be introduced by: before; till; until; the moment; the minute; while; by the time;
just/hardly/barely when ; no sooner than; as soon as, now that;
Examples:
No sooner had she seen the photos than she remembered everything about the accident.
Hardly had I entered the room when somebody knocked at the door.