Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'when', 'before', and 'after' to connect two actions and show exactly when they happen in relation to each other.
- Use 'when' for two things happening at the same time: 'When it rains, I stay home.'
- Use 'before' for the first action in a sequence: 'Wash your hands before you eat.'
- Use 'after' for the second action in a sequence: 'I sleep after I finish work.'
Overview
when, before, and after every single day without thinking. 우리는 아무 생각 없이 매일 when, before, after 같은 시간 표현을 써요. They are the glue that holds our schedule together.I eat dinner. I watch Netflix.친구한테 이렇게 말한다고 상상해 보세요:
I eat dinner. I watch Netflix.It sounds like you're a robot from a 1980s movie.
After I eat dinner, I'm going to watch Netflix.« 하지만 마법의 단어를 추가해 보세요: »After I eat dinner, I'm going to watch Netflix." Suddenly, you're a human with a plan! 순식간에 계획이 있는 인간이 되었네요!when, before, and after to link two parts of a sentence.when, before, after를 사용해서 문장의 두 부분을 연결해요. One part is the 'time clause' (the part with the time word) and the other is the 'main clause' (the main thing that happens). 한 부분은 '시간절'(시간 단어가 있는 부분)이고 다른 하나는 '주절'(일어나는 주된 일)이에요.when usually means two things happen at the same time or one happens immediately after another.when은 보통 두 가지 일이 동시에 일어나거나 하나가 끝난 직후에 다른 하나가 일어난다는 뜻이에요. If you say, "I'll text you when I get home,getting home is the trigger for the text. 만약I'll text you
when I get home"이라고 말한다면, 집에 도착하는 것이 문자를 보내는 방아쇠가 되는 거죠.Before and after are even more specific. Before와 after는 훨씬 더 구체적이에요. They act like a timeline in your head.Before tells us that the main action happens first in the sequence of your intent, even if it appears later in the sentence. Before는 문장의 뒤쪽에 나오더라도, 여러분의 의도된 순서에서는 주된 행동이 먼저 일어난다는 것을 알려줘요.After does the opposite. It shows that the main action is the second step. After는 반대예요.Before I moved here, I lived in Londonafter I finish my workout«). 영어에서는 과거(»Before I moved here, I lived in London«)와 미래(»I'll call you after I finish my workout")를 이야기할 때 이걸 사용해요.How This Grammar Works
Stop! Wait for this first event before you think about the second one.듣는 사람에게 이렇게 말하는 거예요: "멈춰!
After I finish this video, I'll go to bed.« 시간절을 앞에 둘 수도 있어요: »After I finish this video, I'll go to bed.Or you can put it at the end:I'll go to bed
after I finish this video.« 아니면 끝에 둘 수도 있죠: »I'll go to bed after I finish this video." Both are perfectly fine!before dinnerafter work.before dinnerafter workwhen and the other side is the what. 다리의 한쪽은 «언제(when)»이고 다른 한쪽은 «무엇(what)»이에요. If the bridge is broken, your friends won't know if you're calling them now, later, or never. 다리가 끊어지면, 친구들은 여러분이 전화를 지금 한다는 건지, 나중에 한다는 건지, 아니면 영영 안 한다는 건지 알 수 없게 돼요.
Formation Pattern
will in the time clause. 꼭 외워야 할 황금률이 하나 있어요: 시간절에는 will을 쓰지 않는다. Even if you are talking about tomorrow, next week, or the year 2050, the verb right after when, before, or after stays in the Present Simple. 내일, 다음 주, 아니면 2050년에 대해 이야기하더라도 when, before, after 바로 뒤에 오는 동사는 단순 현재(Present Simple)로 유지해야 해요. It feels weird at first, I know. 처음엔 이상하게 느껴질 거예요, 알아요. Your brain wants to say When I will arrive,but your mouth needs to say
When I arrive. 머리는 When I will arrive라고 하고 싶겠지만, 입은
When I arrive라고 말해야 해요.
When, Before, or After.
I finish work.
will or be going to): I will call you.
When I finish work, I will call you.I will call you.
when.
I finish work.
I will call you when I finish work.
Conjugation Table
| Subject | Time Clause (Present Simple) | Main Clause (Future) |
|---|---|---|
| I | when I arrive |
I will call you |
| You | before you leave |
you will see him |
| He/She | after she eats |
she will feel better |
| We | when we start |
we will be happy |
| They | after they finish |
they will go home |
When To Use It
- Travel & Commuting: "I'll buy the tickets
beforethe price goes up.orWhenthe bus arrives, I'll send you a live location." - Social Media & Gaming: "I'm going to post the photo
afterI edit it.orWhenthe new season drops, I'll be online all night." - Food & Shopping:
or "I'll pay you backBeforeI order the pizza, do you want toppings?afterI get my paycheck."
when for things we are sure will happen. when은 확실히 일어날 일에 사용해요. It’s a certain event.before when one thing needs to be finished first (the priority). before는 어떤 일이 먼저 끝나야 할 때(우선순위) 사용하세요.after when you’re describing a sequence or a result. after는 순서나 결과를 설명할 때 사용하세요. It’s also very common in work emails.I will send the report after the manager reviews it. It sounds professional and clear. I will send the report after the manager reviews it. 전문적이고 명확하게 들리죠.I will to "I'll,making it sound even more natural. 편한 대화에서는 종종I will«을 »I'll«로 줄여서 훨씬 더 자연스럽게 말해요. »I'll tell you
when I'm ready.« »I'll tell you when I'm ready." If you use this correctly, you’ll sound like you’ve been living in an English-speaking country for years.secret markers of a high-level A2 speaker. 이건 수준 높은 A2 화자라는 «비밀» 표식 중 하나거든요.
Common Mistakes
will in both parts of the sentence. 가장 큰 실수, 영어 선생님들을 울게 만드는 그 실수는 문장의 두 부분 모두에 will을 넣는 거예요.- ✗ Wrong:
I will call you
whenI will arrive. - ✓ Correct:
I will call you
whenI arrive.
will-free zone. 시간 단어는 «will 금지 구역»이라고 생각하세요. As soon as you say when, before, or after, you have to leave the word will at the door. when, before, after를 말하자마자 will이라는 단어는 문 앞에 두고 와야 해요. Another common slip-up is the third-person 's'. 또 흔한 실수는 3인칭 's'예요. Because we use the Present Simple in the time clause, you have to remember your basic conjugation rules. 시간절에서는 단순 현재를 쓰기 때문에, 기본 동사 변화 규칙을 기억해야 하거든요.- ✗ Wrong:
Afterhe finish his coffee, he will leave. - ✓ Correct:
Afterhe finishes his coffee, he will leave.
when with if. 마지막으로, when과 if를 헷갈리지 마세요. When means you are sure it's happening. If means maybe. When은 그 일이 일어날 것이 확실하다는 뜻이고, If는 아마도(만약에)라는 뜻이에요. If you say When I win the lottery,When I win the lotteryIf I win the lottery.If I win the lotteryContrast With Similar Patterns
Wait, what aboutuntiloras soon as?
잠깐,라고 생각할 수도 있겠네요. These are like the cousins of our time conjunctions. 이 친구들은 우리 시간 접속사들의 사촌 같은 애들이에요.until이나as soon as는 어쩌고?
As soon as is like when on an energy drink. As soon as는 에너지 드링크를 마신 when 같아요. It means immediately after. «직후에»라는 뜻이죠.as soon as I land.« 예를 들어: »I'll call you as soon as I land." It’s more urgent than just saying when. 그냥 when이라고 하는 것보다 더 긴급해요. Until is about the duration of time.Until은 시간의 지속 기간에 관한 거예요. "I'll wait until you arrive.This means the action of waiting stops at the moment you show up.I'll wait
until you arrive." 이건 당신이 나타나는 그 순간에 기다리는 행동이 멈춘다는 뜻이죠.when, before, after) are the foundations. 우리의 세 주인공(when, before, after)은 기초예요. When is the general connector.When은 일반적인 연결 고리예요. Before is the "don't forget this first word. Before는 이거 먼저 하는 거 잊지 마"라는 단어고요.After is the sequence word. After는 «순서»를 나타내는 단어죠. Compared to while, which we use for two things happening at the exact same time (I listen to music while I study), when, before, and after are much more focused on the *order* of events.while(I listen to music while I study)과 비교했을 때, when, before, after는 사건의 순서에 훨씬 더 집중해요.after and afterwards. 그리고 after와 afterwards의 차이도 주의하세요. After is a conjunction—it needs a verb or noun following it immediately (After lunch...After는 접속사예요. 바로 뒤에 동사나 명사가 와야 하죠(After lunch...Afterwards is an adverb and usually stands alone at the end or beginning of a sentence ("We ate lunch.Afterwards, we went for a walk.). Afterwards는 부사고 보통 문장 끝이나 처음에 혼자 쓰여요(We ate lunch. Afterwards, we went for a walk.").Afterwards I finish...Afterwards I finish...Quick FAQ
Can I use the past tense with these words?
Absolutely!
When I was a kid, I played soccer.no will rule only applies when you are talking about the *future*.
이 단어들을 과거 시제와 쓸 수 있나요?
물론이죠!
When I was a kid, I played soccer.will 금지 규칙은 오직 *미래*에 대해 말할 때만 적용돼요.
Do I always need a comma?
Only if the time word (when/before/after) starts the sentence. If it's in the middle, no comma needed. It’s like a visual break for the reader.
항상 콤마가 필요한가요?
시간 단어(when/before/after)로 문장을 시작할 때만요. 중간에 있으면 콤마는 필요 없어요. 읽는 사람을 위한 시각적인 휴식 같은 거죠.
Is it
After I goAfter goingAt A2, stick to
After I go.After goingAfter I goAfter goingA2 레벨에서는
After I goAfter goingCan I say
When I am going to arriveTechnically yes, but it’s very clunky. Native speakers almost always use the Present Simple:
When I arrive.When I am going to arrive기술적으로는 되지만, 말이 아주 꼬인 느낌이에요. 원어민들은 거의 항상 단순 현재를 써요:
When I arrive.What if I forget the 's' for he/she/it?
People will still understand you, but you'll sound a bit like a beginner. Try to catch yourself! It’s the present simple part that’s key.
he/she/it 뒤에 's' 붙이는 걸 깜빡하면요?
사람들은 여전히 이해하겠지만, 약간 초보자처럼 들릴 거예요. 스스로 고쳐보려고 노력해 보세요! '단순 현재' 부분이 핵심이니까요.
Tense Agreement with Time Conjunctions
| Timeframe | Time Clause Tense | Main Clause Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Routine
|
Present Simple
|
Present Simple
|
I eat before I work.
|
|
Past Event
|
Past Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I ate after I worked.
|
|
Future Plan
|
Present Simple
|
Future (Will)
|
I will eat when I arrive.
|
|
General Truth
|
Present Simple
|
Present Simple
|
When it rains, it gets wet.
|
Reduced Time Clauses (Intermediate/Advanced)
| Full Form | Reduced Form | Note |
|---|---|---|
|
After I finished...
|
After finishing...
|
Subject must be the same
|
|
Before you leave...
|
Before leaving...
|
Common in instructions
|
|
When I am at work...
|
When at work...
|
Omits 'Subject + be'
|
Meanings
Temporal conjunctions are words used to connect two clauses (parts of a sentence) to indicate the chronological order or simultaneous nature of events.
Simultaneous or Immediate Sequence
Using 'when' to show that one event happens at the same time as another, or immediately after it.
“When the bell rings, the class starts.”
“I felt happy when I saw my test results.”
Prior Action
Using 'before' to indicate that the action in the main clause happens earlier than the action in the 'before' clause.
“Check your bag before you leave the house.”
“I always drink water before I go for a run.”
Subsequent Action
Using 'after' to indicate that the action in the main clause happens later than the action in the 'after' clause.
“After I finish my homework, I will play video games.”
“We went for a walk after the rain stopped.”
Reference Table
| 접속사 | 의미 | 예문 (미래) | 예문 (과거) | 쉼표 규칙 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
when
|
동시에 / ~하자마자
|
When I arrive, I'll call you.
|
When I called, she answered.
|
절이 문장 앞에 오면 사용
|
|
before
|
~하기 전에
|
Before you leave, close the window.
|
She ate before she left.
|
절이 문장 앞에 오면 사용
|
|
after
|
~한 후에
|
After I finish, I'll go out.
|
He slept after he ate.
|
절이 문장 앞에 오면 사용
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I shall contact you upon my arrival. (Travel communication)
I will call you when I arrive. (Travel communication)
I'll buzz ya when I'm there. (Travel communication)
Hit me up when u land. (Travel communication)
행동의 타이밍: When, Before, After
When
- 동시 발생 At the same time
- 즉각적인 순서 As soon as
- 미래 사건 Present tense in 'when' clause
Before
- 선행 행동 Prior to
- 지시사항 Do this first
- 명사/동명사 Before lunch, Before leaving
After
- 후속 행동 Following
- 결과 Then this happened
- 명사/동명사 After work, After eating
When, Before, After: 한눈에 보기
올바른 시간 접속사 선택하기
두 가지 행동이 동시에 일어나거나, 하나가 다른 하나 직후에 일어나나요?
한 행동이 다른 행동 *보다 먼저* 일어나나요?
한 행동이 다른 행동 *후에* 일어나나요?
맥락 속의 시간 연결어
일상 루틴
- • I drink coffee after I wake up.
- • Before I leave, I check my keys.
미래 계획
- • When I get home, I'll call you.
- • Let's meet after class.
과거 사건
- • She laughed when she heard the joke.
- • He left before I arrived.
지시사항
- • Wash hands before you eat.
- • Close the app after you save.
수준별 예문
I wash my hands before I eat.
Me lavo las manos antes de comer.
After dinner, I watch TV.
Después de la cena, veo la televisión.
When I am sad, I cry.
Cuando estoy triste, lloro.
I go home when the work is finished.
Me voy a casa cuando el trabajo termina.
Before you go to bed, turn off the lights.
Antes de irte a la cama, apaga las luces.
I felt very tired after I ran five kilometers.
Me sentí muy cansado después de correr cinco kilómetros.
When the taxi arrives, please tell me.
Cuando llegue el taxi, por favor dímelo.
We need to buy tickets before we enter the museum.
Necesitamos comprar boletos antes de entrar al museo.
I had already finished the report when my boss asked for it.
Ya había terminado el informe cuando mi jefe lo pidió.
After living in London for a year, her English improved.
Después de vivir en Londres por un año, su inglés mejoró.
Make sure you save the file before closing the program.
Asegúrate de guardar el archivo antes de cerrar el programa.
When I was traveling in Japan, I ate sushi every day.
Cuando estaba viajando por Japón, comía sushi todos los días.
The match was cancelled when it started to pour with rain.
El partido fue cancelado cuando empezó a llover a cántaros.
Before making a decision, we should consider all the options.
Antes de tomar una decisión, deberíamos considerar todas las opciones.
After having studied all night, he was exhausted during the exam.
Después de haber estudiado toda la noche, estaba agotado durante el examen.
When confronted with the evidence, he admitted his mistake.
Al ser confrontado con la evidencia, admitió su error.
Hardly had I stepped outside when it began to snow.
Apenas había salido cuando empezó a nevar.
Before long, the small startup had grown into a global corporation.
En poco tiempo, la pequeña startup se había convertido en una corporación global.
After what seemed like an eternity, the results were finally announced.
Después de lo que pareció una eternidad, los resultados fueron finalmente anunciados.
When viewed from this perspective, the problem is quite simple.
Visto desde esta perspectiva, el problema es bastante simple.
The bill was passed only after much deliberation and heated debate.
El proyecto de ley fue aprobado solo después de mucha deliberación y debate acalorado.
Before the advent of the internet, information was much harder to access.
Antes del advenimiento de internet, la información era mucho más difícil de acceder.
When all is said and done, the project was a resounding success.
Al fin y al cabo, el proyecto fue un éxito rotundo.
He was named after his grandfather, a tradition common in his family.
Le pusieron el nombre de su abuelo, una tradición común en su familia.
혼동하기 쉬운
Both relate to time, but 'while' is for long actions.
'After' is a conjunction; 'afterwards' is an adverb.
자주 하는 실수
I eat after go home.
I eat after I go home.
Before I eat I wash hands.
Before I eat, I wash my hands.
I will call you when I will arrive.
I will call you when I arrive.
I cook after I eat.
I eat after I cook.
After to finish work, I went home.
After finishing work, I went home.
Hardly I had arrived when it rained.
Hardly had I arrived when it rained.
문장 패턴
When ___, I ___.
I will ___ after I ___.
Real World Usage
Add the salt after the water boils.
Before I joined Google, I worked at a startup.
When you reach the roundabout, take the second exit.
Me when I finally finish my exams.
Take this medicine before you eat breakfast.
Please have your passport ready before you reach the gate.
쉼표를 확인해요!
Before you go, close the window.vs
Close the window before you go.
시간 절에는 'Will' 금지!
When I arrive, 아니고 When I will arrive는 틀려요.
동명사의 힘!
Before eating, wash your hands.또는
After finishing work, I go to the gym.정말 편리한 방법이에요!
명확함이 최고!
흐름을 느껴봐요!
Smart Tips
Start your sentences with 'Before' or 'After' to make the steps very clear.
Check if you used 'will' after 'when'. If yes, delete it!
Use the -ing form after 'before' and 'after' when the subject is the same.
Read the sentence aloud. If you naturally pause in the middle, you probably need a comma there.
발음
The 'When' Wh- sound
In most modern dialects, 'when' is pronounced with a simple /w/ sound, identical to 'wen'.
Sentence Stress
The stress usually falls on the main verbs, not the conjunctions.
Comma Pause
Before I eat [pause], I wash my hands.
A slight rise in pitch before the comma indicates the sentence is not finished.
암기하기
기억법
B-A-W: Before (1st), After (2nd), When (Same time).
시각적 연상
Imagine a train track. 'Before' is the engine, 'After' is the caboose, and 'When' is two trains passing each other at the station.
Rhyme
Before you go, let me know. After you arrive, stay alive. When we meet, it's a treat!
Story
I woke up. BEFORE I brushed my teeth, I drank water. AFTER I brushed my teeth, I felt fresh. WHEN I looked in the mirror, I smiled.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences about your morning routine using each word once. Check your commas!
문화 노트
British speakers often use 'just' with 'when' to emphasize immediacy: 'I had just arrived when it started raining.'
In casual US speech, 'after' is sometimes replaced by 'once': 'Once I finish, I'll come over.'
In business, 'before' is often replaced by 'prior to' for a more formal tone.
Old English 'hwanne' (when), 'be-foran' (before), and 'æfter' (after).
대화 시작하기
What do you usually do after you wake up?
What will you do when you finish this lesson?
Tell me about a time you were surprised when you opened a gift.
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
Please turn off the lights ___ you leave the room.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
She always eats breakfast after she will wake up.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI always brush my teeth ___ I go to bed.
Find and fix the mistake:
I will call you when I will arrive home.
___ it rains, the grass gets wet.
after / I / work / go / I / gym / the / finish / to
1. Before I sleep... / 2. After I wake up... / 3. When it's cold...
Identify the sentence that requires a comma.
Turn off the oven ___ the cake is finished.
Find and fix the mistake:
I put on my shoes after I put on my socks.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI felt much better ___ I took the medicine.
Which sentence uses the comma correctly?
He will call you when he will arrive.
Translate: 'Llamaré a mi madre después de que termine mi trabajo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence halves:
Always brush your teeth ___ you go to bed.
Select the correct sentence:
Don't talk before you think.
Translate: 'Cuando llueve, leo un libro.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
She decided to review her notes ___ the exam.
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, but use the present simple tense in the 'when' clause. Example: `When I see him, I'll tell him.`
`After` is a conjunction (needs a clause: After I eat...), while `afterwards` is an adverb (I ate, and afterwards I slept).
Only if `before` starts the sentence. `Before I go, I'll call.` vs `I'll call before I go.`
Yes! `After eating` is a shorter, more natural way to say `After I eat` if the subject is the same.
`When` implies certainty (it will happen), while `if` implies a possibility (it might happen).
Absolutely. It is very common in storytelling and instructions. Just remember the comma!
In English, conjunctions like `before` and `after` are followed by a clause (subject + verb) or a gerund (-ing), never an infinitive.
`Whenever` means 'at any time that' or 'every time that', whereas `when` usually refers to a specific time.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cuando, antes de, después de
English does not use the subjunctive in future time clauses.
とき (toki), まえに (mae ni), あとで (ato de)
Word order is reversed compared to English.
wenn/als, bevor, nachdem
German has two words for 'when' depending on the tense/frequency.
quand, avant, après
French uses future tense in time clauses; English uses present.
عندما (indama), قبل (qabla), بعد (ba'da)
Arabic conjunctions can change form based on the following noun or verb.
的时候 (de shihou), 以前 (yiqian), 以后 (yihou)
Chinese uses post-positions for time, while English uses pre-positions/conjunctions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
01:22 Top 3 Google Play Google I/O 2025 announcements
08:59 The Horror of the Slaver Ant
09:53 What Dinosaurs ACTUALLY Looked Like?
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions for Better English
ENGLISH with James · engVid
Subordinating Conjunctions | Learn about how to use subordinating conjunctions
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Conjunctions for Kids | Learn about coordinating, correlative, and subordinating conjunctions
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