TimeLinkers
when, while, as soon as, after · narrative
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Tell your partner exactly what you did in the two minutes before this class started — in order.
What's the first thing you did this morning? What was the last thing you did before sleeping last night?
Have you ever done things in the wrong order (e.g. paid before ordering)? What happened?
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minTime linkers: when, while, as soon as, after, before, until
Read the examples. What is the pattern? Say the rule in your own words first.
→ When the film ended, we went home.
→ While I was cooking, my phone kept ringing.
→ As soon as I saw her, I knew something was wrong.
→ I read the email before I replied. / Before I replied, I read the email.
→ We waited until the rain stopped.
Reveal the rule
Time linkers glue two events together and show the order.
More detail
WHEN points to a moment — the other action often continues around it. WHILE points to a longer action in progress, so it usually takes the Past Continuous. AS SOON AS means one thing happens immediately after the other. AFTER and BEFORE simply mark the order. UNTIL marks the end point of something that continued. The linker clause can go first (comma after it) or second (no comma) — the meaning stays the same, only the emphasis changes.
Two ways to build it
e.g. While I was cooking, my phone kept ringing. = My phone kept ringing while I was cooking.
When to use
- Telling a story in order, not as a list of facts.
- One short action interrupts a longer one (when / while).
- One thing follows instantly (as soon as / the moment).
- Something continues up to a limit (until).
| Linker | Meaning | Usual tense | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| when | at that moment | Past Simple + Past Simple/Continuous | When the film ended, we went home. |
| while | during a longer action | Past Continuous | While I was reading, she called. |
| as soon as | immediately after | Past Simple | As soon as I saw her, I knew. |
| after / before | clear order | Past Simple / Past Perfect | After we ate, we left. |
| until | up to an end point | Past Simple | We waited until the rain stopped. |
Common mistake
'While I ate, the phone rang.' → 'While I was eating, the phone rang.' While needs the longer, in-progress action.
No 'will' after time linkers
'I'll text you as soon as I will arrive.' → 'I'll text you as soon as I arrive.' Use a present tense for the future after when, as soon as, until, before, after.
Memory tip
WHEN = a point on the line. WHILE = a stretch of the line. UNTIL = where the line stops.
Natural English
In speech we often front the linker and pause: 'As soon as I got home, / I called Mum.' That tiny pause is the comma.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Question 1.____ I got home, I made some tea.
Question 2.I was watching TV ____ the doorbell rang.
Question 3.____ we were walking home, it started to rain.
Question 4.He didn't leave ____ his colleague arrived.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Quick check 1.Pick the most natural sentence.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
first of all
the first thing in a sequence
"First of all, I checked the time."
Describe your morning using First of all,…
then / after that
the next event
"I had breakfast, then I cycled to work."
Tell your partner 4 steps of last night using then/after that.
in the end
after a process — the final result
"In the end, we decided to stay home."
Finish: 'In the end, I…' (about last weekend)
at the same time
two things happening together
"He was studying and working at the same time."
What two things do you often do at the same time?
by the time
before or when a moment was reached
"By the time I arrived, everyone had left."
Finish: 'By the time I got home yesterday,…'
the moment (that)
exactly when something happened
"The moment I saw her, I knew."
Finish: 'The moment I…'
shortly after
a little time later
"I moved out, and shortly after, I changed jobs."
Two life events that happened shortly after each other?
eventually
after a long time / a lot of effort
"She eventually agreed to come."
Finish: 'I eventually managed to…'
Discuss with a partner
- →Describe your last big day using 4 different linkers.
- →Tell a story about a time you were late — use by the time and in the end.
Finish the sentence about you
- First of all, …
- By the time I …
- Eventually, …
60-second write
Write a 5-step story (60 words) using a different linker for each step.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minSentence stress in linker clauses
- • When the FILM ended, // we WENT home.
- • As soon as I SAW her, // I KNEW.
- • While I was COOKING, // my PHONE kept ringing.
- • By the time we ARRIVED, // it was TOO late.
- • In the END, // we ORDERED pizza.
How to say it
Linkers themselves are usually unstressed — speakers don't shout 'WHEN' or 'AFTER'. Stress falls on the content words around them (verbs, nouns). A short pause after the linker clause keeps the story easy to follow.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minA surprisingly long Tuesday
First of all, my alarm didn't go off, so I woke up an hour late. While I was rushing to get dressed, I knocked over my coffee, which then went all over my laptop. As soon as I cleaned it up, the doorbell rang — a delivery I'd forgotten about. After that, I finally left the flat, only to realise I'd left my keys inside. By the time I got to the office, I was an hour and forty minutes late. Shortly after I sat down, my manager called me into a meeting. In the end, eventually, the meeting was to tell me I'd been promoted. So really, not a bad Tuesday at all.
Read once for the overall message. Decide true or false first, then answer from memory — check the text only to find the sentence that proves you right.
Q1.The writer arrived at the office on time.
Q2.They forgot their keys inside the flat.
Q3.The day ended with bad news.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Question 1.Why did the writer wake up late?
Question 2.What happened to the laptop?
Question 3.What was the meeting about?
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minHow I finally got my passport
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Ella:So tell me — what actually happened with your passport?
Noah:Honestly, it was a long week. First of all, I lost the old one — no idea where.
Ella:Oh no. So then what?
Noah:Well, as soon as I realised, I booked an appointment. But by the time I got there, they'd changed the rules — I needed a new photo.
Ella:Classic. Did they help you?
Noah:Shortly after, I found a photo booth round the corner. In the end, eventually, I got the passport about three hours before my flight.
First listening: catch the language, not the details. Tick what you hear, then listen again for the answers.
Question 1.What did Noah lose first?
Question 2.What problem did he meet at the appointment?
Question 3.When did he finally get the passport?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Reading Part 5: gap fill (linkers)
Task
Read a short text with linker gaps and choose the correct word from four options for each gap.
Strategy
Look at BOTH sides of the gap. Ask: Is this about ORDER (after / before / then)? Two things HAPPENING TOGETHER (while / as)? An IMMEDIATE reaction (as soon as)? A FINAL result (in the end / eventually)?
Example
'____ I finished the report, I sent it to my boss.' Both events are short and clearly sequenced → 'After' fits; 'While' would be wrong.
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Q1.Correct: 'When I was watching TV when she called.'
Q2.Complete with a linker: '____ the meeting started, three people walked in late.'
Q3.Reorder: 'home / before / I / left / I / locked the door' →
Question 1.____ I heard the news, I called my sister.
Question 2.We waited ____ the rain stopped before going out.
Question 3.____ I arrived, everyone had already eaten.
Question 4.I was studying ____ my brother was playing loud music.
Question 5.____, we missed the train — but we caught a later one.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Plan first: three bullet points, then study the model and notice how it links ideas. Write only after that.
Your task
Write a short story (80–100 words) called 'A morning that did not go to plan.' Use at least 4 different time linkers (first of all, while, as soon as, by the time, in the end…) and at least 2 Past Continuous verbs.
Plan (3 bullets)
- 1. What is the situation?
- 2. What are your two main points?
- 3. How will you finish it?
Study the model
First of all, my alarm didn't go off, so I woke up forty minutes late. While I was getting dressed, my flatmate started the shower, so I had no hot water. As soon as I left the building, it started to rain. By the time I reached the bus stop, the bus was already pulling away. Shortly after, I gave up and ordered a taxi. In the end, I arrived at the office only ten minutes late — and my manager hadn't even noticed.
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
STORY RELAY: In pairs, Student A tells the start of a real past event using 'First of all… and then…'. After 30 seconds they stop on a linker ('as soon as…'). Student B must continue and finish the story with at least 3 more linkers. Swap and repeat.
Useful phrases
- • First of all, …
- • Then / After that, …
- • While I was + -ing, …
- • As soon as …, …
- • By the time …, …
- • In the end / Eventually, …
Decide & report
Work through the situation and agree on one decision together. Then report your decision in 30 seconds, giving two reasons.
- AHow was your interview yesterday?
- B_______________
- AGlad to hear it. Did they offer you the job on the spot?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Train students to sequence events smoothly, not just list them. ~30 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Record a 60-second story about your last journey, using at least 4 different time linkers.
Write 6 sentences about your typical Saturday in order, using a different linker in each.
Find a short English podcast clip (1–2 min) and write down every linker the speaker uses.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Linkers connect events: when, while, as soon as, after, before, until.
- 'While' usually goes with longer / continuous actions.
- 'By the time' = before/when a moment was reached.
- 'In the end' / 'eventually' = final result of a process.
- Pause briefly after the linker clause for natural rhythm.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 08 again.
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