ONLY_ENGLISH: 2.21. AFTER BEFORE UNLESS UNTIL

AFTER

After as a conjunction and a preposition

The word “after” can be used as a preposition, an adverb and a conjunction.

When it is used as a preposition, it is followed by a noun.

After can introduce a clause (as a conjunction):

After I left him a message, he phoned me immediately.

She did voluntary work in a hospital after she graduated.

Warning: We use the present simple following “after” when referring to the future:

I’ll contact you after we reach the airport.

After can also be used as a conjunction.

As a conjunction after connects two clauses.

After he finished his studies, he went to America.

He arrived after everybody had gone home.

In American English, after is often used in telling the time.

AFTER + ING = AFTER EATING WE WILL PLAY VIDEOGAMES

BEFORE

Introduction

Conjunctions are words that function as a link between clauses in sentences.

Before is used as a conjunction used to refer to the order of actions in a sentence.

Form

Before connects clauses in a sentence and belongs to the conjunctions of time.

It can have two different positions:

Before + clause 1 + , + clause 2;

Clause 1 + before + clause 2.

NOTE: When we talk about future events, we should use the present tense after before.

Example

Before you set the table, get the plates out.

Before you start cooking, wash the pumpkin.

Before they come back home, they will buy some peas.

Fix your hair before you go out.

Talk to her before it’s too late.

Let’s eat before we go.

Use

We use before to refer to the order of actions. It indicates that the clause it introduces happens later than the other clause.

Summary

We can use before as a conjunction to refer to the order of actions in a sentence.

We start with the word before followed by a clause, a comma and another clause. We can also start with a clause followed by the word before and another clause (we do not use a comma here).

For example:

— “Before you eat it, wash the fruit.” / “Wash the fruit before you eat it.” = First you need to wash the fruit and then eat it.

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.

UNLESS

UNLESS

Unless means 'except if'.

We use unless to say that there may be an exception and that this exception will change the situation. We're playing tennis tomorrow unless it rains.

(= We're playing tennis tomorrow. However, one exception could change our plans – rain.)

Don't go there unless he tells you to.

(= Don't go there, except if he tells you to go.)

We use the present tense after unless when referring to the future. I won’t go to the party unless she invites me.

unless she will invite

Compare unless and if. We'll cancel tomorrow's tennis match if it rains.

We'll cancel tomorrow's tennis match unless the weather improves. = The match will happen only if the weather gets better.

More examples with unless

• I’m not going to the party unless you come too. I don’t want to go alone.

• We won’t get a table at the restaurant unless we get there early.

• Unless I’m mistaken, John’s house is the second on the left.

• We can go in the car – unless you’d prefer to walk

• Unless you want to turn yourself in privately.

• She will be sick unless she stops eating.

• Unless you are too tired let’s go for a walk at the park.

• Unless my son finish his homework, He can’t go out.

• You can’t get a job unless you have experience.

• Unless you leave home at once, you will be late for work.

UNTILL

Until

Until (conjunction)

Until means 'up to the event mentioned'.

I'll stay here until you come back.

We have to wait until he arrives.

We do not use will after until when speaking about the future.

I'll stay here until you come back.

until you will come

We have to wait until he arrives.

until he will arrive

When we use a negative construction (with not) in the main clause, until means 'not before'.

I won't (will not) start cooking until you come home. (= 'not before you come home')

I can't (cannot) read the newspaper until I find my glasses. (= 'not before I find my glasses')

We sometimes use the constructions have + past participle and had + past participle with until.

I can't wash any clothes until they have repaired the washing machine.

"Until" and "by the time" are conjunctions that join two sentences.

"Until" means up to the time that something happens.

Look at this example.

We cannot start until she arrives.

This means that first, she must arrive, and then we can start.

Here is how you make a sentence with "until".

Action/Result 2 + until + action/result 1

With "until", action/result 1 must be finished before action/result 2 can happen.

We cannot finish the report until we have more information.
She cannot meet us until she gets off work.
It will be hard to make a decision until I see the house for myself.

"Until" is more often used in the middle of a sentence, but it can be used at the beginning.

Until action/result 1, + action/result 2

Until she knows what she wants to do, it will be hard for her to find a job that she likes.
Until the weather gets warmer, it is not a good idea to go on a picnic.
Until the rain stops, the game cannot start.

It is important to remember that we can also use "until + time".

I have to work until 9 p.m. tonight.
The store will be open until 11 o'clock.
We will be on vacation until next week.
The swimming pool is closed until May.

It is common to use this pattern: from (starting time) until (finishing time)

The store is open from 9 am until 10 pm.
The show will run from April until November.

The Difference between From and Since – Meaning

Most students have often got confused between ‘from’ and ‘since’ many times, thinking that they both mean the same thing. When the word ‘from’ is used, it’s used to refer to a place or time at which an event/action/journey starts/initiates. The word ‘from’ is always used as a preposition. For example, “I come from Delhi.” Whereas the word ‘since’ is used to refer to the time passed between then and now, i.e. from a point in the past until now/present. For example, “Simran has been living in New York City since 2016.” Once students understand this difference between the two words, it will be easier for them to understand how and when to use these words.

Example of From and Since

The following example will help students understand ‘from’ and ‘since’ quite clearly.

From – Mr Wilson has served as the Headmaster of Oakwoods School from 2000-2012. (preposition)

Since – Mr Tony has known Peter since he was a little baby. (preposition)

Once students understand the difference between the words ‘from’ and ‘since’, they can easily apply them in the proper context.

From and Since – Conclusion

In conclusion, the words ‘from’ and ‘since’ neither can be used synonymously nor can be used interchangeably. This article points out the difference between ‘from’ and ‘since’ to make it easy for students to put them in sentences. Also, BYJU’S offers various articles on many such ‘differences between two words’ that students often get confused with.

Since vs From – Point of Difference

The point to note about the usage of since and from is that with the usage of since, present perfect or present perfect continuous tense verbs is used as usage of since presents the starting point of an action that still continues. This is not the case with the usage of from.

Although both these words present the starting time of an action, they cannot be used interchangeably.