ESL Grammar: PRESENT TENSE (10) – With “when”

In this ESL grammar lesson, students practice using the present tense with phrases beginning with “when” to make longer and more complex sentences.

ESL Grammar: Using “When” with Present Tense

“When” is used to introduce a time clause that describes when something happens. The action in the dependent clause (the clause starting with “when”) is linked to the action in the main clause.

Structure:

• When + subject + present tense verb, + main clause.
• Main clause + when + subject + present tense verb.

Examples:

• When she wakes up, she brushes her teeth.
• He feels happy when he listens to music.

The English grammar lesson below teaches students to construct more complex present tense sentences, using clauses with the word “when.” Our series of ESL grammar lessons on subjects and verbs introduce these concepts and reinforce them through helpful and instructive exercises.

This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many more English grammar lessons focusing on basic English tenses (present tense, present continuous tense, past tense, future tense) in our comprehensive, beginner-level ESL grammar textbook Great, Great Grammar! (Book 2: Tenses).