Grammar Concepts #14
This rebuilt lesson keeps the original concept image, tightens the structure, and turns the explanation into a clearer self-study guide.
In English, expressing events in relation to one another in time can be challenging, especially for non-native speakers. This guide will help you understand how to talk about two events from different temporal (time) perspectives, using examples from the image provided.
When discussing events that have already occurred, we often use terms like ago, before, after, and since. Here are some examples:
When talking about events that will happen in the future, we use terms like in, before, after, and from now. Here are some examples:
When combining both past and future events, understanding the relationship between different points in time is crucial. Here are some examples:
By understanding and practicing these concepts, you can accurately describe the timing of events in relation to one another, making your English communication more precise and clear.
Answer the quiz questions below with responses consistent with the grammar concepts taught on the left.
Maria learned Spanish 3 years _____ to moving to Spain.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Prior to” means before a certain time or event. “Ago” is incorrect because it is used with a specific point in time in the past, not before another event. “Since” is incorrect because it is used to indicate the time from a past event to the present.
Alex started his business 2 years _____ finishing college.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “After” is used to indicate that one event happened following another. “Ago” is incorrect because it is used to specify how long before the present something happened. “Before” is incorrect because it would suggest the business was started before finishing college, which changes the meaning.
Julia visited Paris 2 years _____ and graduated from university 5 years _____.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Ago” is used to indicate a time period that has passed from the present moment. “Before” and “after” are incorrect because they compare two events relative to each other, not relative to the present moment.
Sarah will travel to Japan 1 year _____ she gets her passport.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “After” is correct to show that Sarah’s travel happens following the event of getting her passport. “Ago” is incorrect because it refers to past time. “Before” is incorrect because it would mean she travels before getting her passport.
David bought a house 2 years _____ he plans to retire.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Before” indicates that the house purchase happened prior to his retirement. “After” is incorrect because it would mean he bought the house following his retirement. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed since a past event.
Emily started her job 4 years _____. She plans to start her own business 3 years _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Ago” indicates past time, while “from now” indicates future time from the present moment. “Before” and “after” do not fit because they do not indicate past or future relative to now.
It has been 6 months _____ Anna moved to New York.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Since” is used to indicate the time that has passed from a specific event until now. “Ago” is incorrect because it would mean 6 months before now, not since a specific event. “Before” is incorrect because it does not indicate ongoing time from a past event.
Two weeks _____ now, I will start my new job.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” is used to indicate future time measured from the present moment. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed since a past event.
Lucy will finish her book 2 years _____ it gets published.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Before” indicates that finishing the book happens prior to its publication. “After” is incorrect because it would mean she finishes the book following its publication. “Since” is incorrect because it indicates time passed from a past event to the present.
John will travel to Europe 1 year _____ he completes his degree.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “After” is used to show that the travel happens following the completion of his degree. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Before” is incorrect because it would mean he travels before completing his degree.
Lisa will finish her training in 6 months and start her own practice 1 year _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” indicates the future time measured from the present moment. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
Martin will marry 5 years _____ his graduation.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “After” indicates that the marriage happens following the graduation. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Before” is incorrect because it would mean he marries before graduating.
Martin graduated 5 years _____ he plans to marry.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Before” shows that the graduation happened prior to the planned marriage. “After” is incorrect because it would mean he graduated following his marriage. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
Martin graduated 3 years _____. He’ll marry 2 years _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Ago” indicates past time, while “from now” indicates future time measured from the present moment. “Before” and “after” do not fit because they do not indicate past or future relative to now.
It has been 3 years _____ Martin’s graduation.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Since” is used to indicate the time that has passed from a specific event until now. “Ago” is incorrect because it means a specific time before now, not ongoing time. “Before” is incorrect because it does not indicate ongoing time from a past event.
Two years _____ now, Martin will marry.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” is used to indicate future time measured from the present moment. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
Martin will graduate 5 years _____ he marries.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Before” indicates that the graduation happens prior to the marriage. “After” is incorrect because it would mean he graduates following his marriage. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
Martin will marry 5 years _____ he graduates.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “After” indicates that the marriage happens following the graduation. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Before” is incorrect because it would mean he marries before graduating.
Martin will graduate in 2 years and marry 7 years _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” is used to indicate future time measured from the present moment. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
John graduated 3 years _____, and he will start his master’s degree 2 years _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Ago” is used to indicate a time period that has passed from the present moment. “From now” indicates future time measured from the present moment. “Before” and “after” do not fit because they do not indicate past or future relative to now.
Alice will complete her project 6 months _____ now and present it 3 months _____ she finishes.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” indicates future time measured from the present moment. “After” indicates that the presentation happens following the project completion. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Before” is incorrect in this context because it would change the sequence of events.
It has been 2 years _____ he last visited his hometown.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Since” is used to indicate the time that has passed from a specific event until now. “Ago” is incorrect because it means a specific time before now, not ongoing time. “Before” is incorrect because it does not indicate ongoing time from a past event.
Tom will graduate in 1 year and start his job 2 years _____ now.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “From now” is used to indicate future time measured from the present moment. “Ago” is incorrect because it indicates past time. “Since” is incorrect because it refers to time passed from a past event to the present.
It has been 4 years _____ I moved to this city.
Correct answer
Incorrect answers
Explanation: “Since” is used to indicate the time that has passed from a specific event until now. “Ago” is incorrect because it means a specific time before now, not ongoing time. “Before” is incorrect because it does not indicate ongoing time from a past event.