Before/After Followed by Other Complements¹

BEFORE / AFTER + OTHER COMPLEMENTS

Before and after can be followed by shorter elements and structures. If shortened, the missing
information has to be guessed from context. The subject must refer to the same person in both
clauses/parts.
Before and after express a sequence of actions. The actions in the main clause and the sequence
clause are often nonprogressive, of shorter duration.
Before and after can be complemented (followed) by [1] a clause, [2] a gerund (-ing), [3] a noun
phrase, [4] a participle, or [5] nothing (a comma).
SEQUENCE FOCUS OTHER ACTIVITY
PREP + CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Before he called, we started the movie.

After he called,
Once he called, (The verb expresses an activitiy of shorter duration,
When he called, (immed. after)² instantaneous, or detail activity.)

PREP + GERUND MAIN CLAUSE

Before calling, he picked up some snacks.

After calling, he was picking up some snacks.
The subject (the person) and predicate (verb) are The subject is understood as being the same subject
understood from context. as the main clause.

PREP + PARTICIPLE MAIN CLAUSE

Before expected, he arrived at our door.

After introduced, he came in and sat down.
(acknowledged, verified, accepted, approved,
confirmed, notified)
PREP + NOUN / NOUN PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE

Before his call, he picked up some snacks.

After his call,
(his text, noon, lunch time, 6 p.m.)

PREP + PREP PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE

— —

PREP / CONNECTIVE ADVERB MAIN CLAUSE

Before, he picked up some snacks.

After,
See After vs. Afterward | Connective Adverbs. Afterward, he picked up snacks.Before that, he picked
up snacks.

AFTER + OTHER COMPLEMENTS

When and while can be followed by shorter elements and structures. If shortened, the missing
information has to be guessed from context. The subject must refer to the same person in both
clauses/parts.
When and while relate a second action occurring synchronously (same time). When includes a
shorter interrupting action. While includes an action of longer duration. The verb may be
progressive or non progressive. (When/While)
When and while can be complemented (followed) by [1] a clause, [2] a gerund (-ing), [3] a
participle, [4] a prepositional phrase.
FOCUS ACTIVITY BACKGROUND ACTIVITY
 PREP + CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

When he called you, (interrupting) we were watching a movie.

While he was calling, (same-time) we were watching a movie.
(The verb expresses an activitiy with longer duration,
requiring time to complete a process or project.)
PREP + GERUND MAIN CLAUSE

When calling you, he was watching a movie.

While talking with you, he was watching/watched a movie.
The subject (the person) and predicate (verb) are The subject (the person) and predicate (verb) are
understood from context. understood from context.

PREP + ADJECTIVE / PARTICIPLE MAIN CLAUSE

When done, he watched the movie.

While awake, he was watching the movie. (Then he fell asleep
(awakened, alert, ready, alone, relaxed) and missed the rest.)
PREP + NOUN / NOUN PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE

— —

PREP + PREP PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE

When in doubt, he asked us what had happened in the TV

(in need, on a break, in trouble) series.
While in conversation with you he was missing all that was happening.
(on a break, on duty, in (the) hospital)
PREP / CONNECTIVE ADVERB MAIN CLAUSE

— —

¹ complement — a word or structure that is required to complete the meaning expressed by

another element or structure in the clause; for example, He fell __. ("down" is expected in order
to complete the meaning).

² When – two meanings – (1) same time, (2) immediately after

Also see While / When -ing | Prepositional Complements | Participial Adjectives -ed | Verbs of
Short or Long Duration | When / While

(Azar 17-2) (Huddelston 8 §6.3) (Murphy 25A, 60B 119, ) (Swan 30, 98)