Answer Key

GLOW: Grammar Lessons On the Web

For the exclusive use of employees of the U.S. Department of State--by Tillyer Associates

Glow Answers

Practice: Before, After, When and While - answers

1. Rosalie studied very hard.
    She took the exam on Thursday. (before)
    Rosalie studied very hard before she took the exam on Thursday.
    Before she took the exam on Thursday, she studied very hard.

2. Angus was thoroughly exhausted.
    He ran the Boston Marathon (26 miles). (after)
    Angus was thoroughly exhausted after he ran the Boston Marathon.
    After he ran the Boston Marathon, Angus was thoroughly exhausted.

3. The doorbell rang.
    Brian was taking a shower. (when or while)
    The doorbell rang while Brian was taking a shower.
    Brian was taking a shower when the doorbell rang.
    While Brian was taking a shower, the doorbell rang.
    When the doorbell rang, Brian was taking a shower.

4. Jonathan was eating his dinner of pork chops and beans.
    He was watching the news on TV. (while)
    While he was watching the news on TV, Jonathan was eating his dinner of pork chops and beans.
    Jonathan was eating his dinner of pork chops and beans while he was watching the news on TV.

5. Giles was backing into a parking space.
    He heard a crunch. (when or while)
    Giles was backing into a parking space when he heard a crunch.
    While Giles was backing into his parking space, he heard a crunch.

Now you supply the conjunction: before, after, when, while

6. The CAO had heard the orchestra several times.
    He invited them to play at the Independence Day concert.
    The CAO invited the orchestra to play at the Independence Day concert after he had heard them several times.
    After the CAO had heard the orchestra several times, he asked them to play at the Independence Day concert.

7. Jennifer had a date with Charles.
    She thought she was falling in love.
    After Jennifer had a date with Charles, she thought she was falling in love.
    Jennifer thought she was falling in love after she had a date with Charles.

8. Christie cried for weeks.
    Her mother died.
    Christie cried for weeks when her mother died.
    After her mother died, Christie cried for weeks.

9. Aaron was eating dinner.
    Caroline called to ask about the assignment.
    Aaron was eating dinner when Caroline called to ask about the assignment.
    Caroline called to ask about the assignment while Aaron was eating dinner.
    While Aaron was eating dinner, Caroline called to ask about the assignment.

10. Sean had to stay home for three weeks.
    He injured his back.
    Sean had to stay home for three weeks after he injured his back.
    After he injured his back, Sean had to stay home for three weeks.