Time Connectors
Time connectors or sequencers are expressions we use to show when things happen or in what order they happen.
When
We use "when" to show the time something happens.
Example:
I traveled to Japan when I was 16.
We also use "when" to show two actions that happened at the same time.
Example:
She was sleeping when I called her.
In some cases, "when" shows the order of two actions — one happening after the other.
Example:
I'll buy a car when I graduate from college.
After & Before
We use after and before to show the order of events.
Examples:
I'm going to take a nap after my lunch.
Please, turn off the lights before you leave.
Then / After That
We use then or after that to show that one action happened after another action that was just mentioned.
Example:
First, we need to chop the onions. Then / After that, we fry them.
Later
We use later with time expressions to talk about a time after a specific moment.
Example:
I arrived at my dentist’s office at 2 p.m. Three hours later, he finally saw me.
Next
We use next with time expressions to show the next event in a sequence.
Example:
We arrived at the hotel in the evening. The next morning, we went to the beach.
Exercises
Complete the story using the time connectors from the list below. before | when | later | next | then | after
One evening, I was shopping at the local supermarket ____ I saw a child crying near the entrance. He had lost his mother. I helped them find each other. ____ that, I paid for my groceries and left the store. Two minutes ____, I got home and made dinner. ____, I cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. ____ I went to bed, I sent a text message to my friend telling her about what had happened. The ____ day, I saw the same child with his mother on the street. They gave me a warm smile.
One evening, I was shopping at the local supermarket when I saw a child crying near the entrance. He had lost his mother. I helped them find each other. After that, I paid for my groceries and left the store. Two minutes later, I got home and made dinner. Then, I cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. Before I went to bed, I sent a text message to my friend telling her about what had happened. The next day, I saw the same child with his mother on the street. They gave me a warm smile.