Patterns
Use
Clarify that one completed event occurred before another past event.
Form
By the time + simple past, subject had + past participle.
Label
Earlier past
Use
Express a promised action or an already formed plan.
Form
Subject will + base verb / is going to + base verb.
Label
Plan and commitment
Practice
- Place twelve verbs on a past-present-future timeline.
- Retell one story using consistent simple past.
- Write three future time clauses using when, after, or before.
AnswerKey
- Verb choices must match event time and relationship.
- Use past perfect only when an earlier past relationship needs emphasis.
- Do not place will inside the future time clause in the target pattern.