一、什么是時間狀語從句呢,其實,我們只要看到幾個關鍵詞就可以了,也就是用表示時間的連詞連接一個句子作狀語,這樣的主從復合句就是時間狀語從句。
連接時間狀語從句的連接詞有:when(當……時),while(在……期間),as(當……,一邊……一邊……),before(在……之前),after(在……之后),since(從……以來),till/until(直到),whenever(無論何時),as soon as(一……就)等,這里要特別注意的一點是,如果主句是一般將來時,從句只能用一般現(xiàn)在時表示將來意義。同樣的道理,主句是過去將來時和將來完成時,從句只能用一般過去時和現(xiàn)在完成時表示將來意義。例如:
1.When I went into the classroom, he was reading.
當我走進教室時,他正在看書。
2.He read a newspaper as he went along.
他邊走邊看報紙。
3. I didn't realize how special my mother was until I became an adult.
直到我成年了,我才意識到我的媽媽是多么的特別。
4.We must strike while the iron is hot.
我們必須趁熱打鐵。
5.I’ll telephone you as soon as I get there.
我一到達那里就打電話給你。

二、由before和after引導的時間狀語從句
before的意思為“在……之前”,根據(jù)具體語境還可理解為“還沒來得及/還沒有……就……,趁著還沒……就……,不知不覺就……,……才……”等。注意before引導的從句不再用否定式的謂語,并且當before引導的從句位于主句之后,有時譯成"就,才"。如果before引導的主句謂語用的是過去完成時,則從句動詞多用一般過去時,這樣以便體現(xiàn)動作發(fā)生的先后。After表示主句動作發(fā)生在從句動作之后。主句和 從句的動作的時間關系正好與before引導的從句相反。例如:
1.They had not been married four months before they were divorced.
他們結婚還不到四個月就離婚了。
2.After you think it over, please let me know what you decide.
你仔細考慮過以后,告訴我你是怎樣決定的。
3.He almost knocked me down before he saw me.
他幾乎把我撞倒才看到我。
4.Time passed quickly and three months went by before she knew it.
時間過得飛快,她不知不覺就在那里度過了三個月。
5.I will die before I will betray my country.
我寧可死也不會背叛我的國家。

三、時間的英語是“time”,time可引導時間狀語從句,含有time 短語有every time, each time, (the) next time, (the) last time, by the time, the first time, any time 等,例如:
1. Every time I listen to music, I’ll think of it.
每當我聽音樂,我就想起這事。
2.He didn’t tell me anything the last time I saw him.
上次我見到他時他什么也沒告訴我。

四、除了我們在時間狀語從句中經常用到的as soon as表示“一……就……”還有很多詞語表示“一……就……”,例如:the moment, the minute, the second, the instant;immediately, directly, instantly;no sooner…than…, hardly/scarcely…when…。它們也都可以引導時間狀語從句。例如:
1. I came immediately you called.
你一來電話我就來了。
2.I had no sooner got home than it began to rain.
我一到家就下起雨來了。
如果hardly, scarcely 或no sooner置于句首,句子必須用倒裝結構。如:
1.Hardly/Scarcely had I got home when it began to rain.
2. No sooner had I got home than it began to rain.
我一到家,外面就開始下雨。

五、首先,我們從一個since引導的時間狀語從句的例句中,看看since在引導時間狀語從句的用法,——Have you known Dr.Jackson for a long time?------Yes,since he jioned the Chinese Society. 在這個例句中,since引導的從句的謂語動詞可以是延續(xù)性的動詞,又可以是瞬時動詞。一般情況下,從句謂語動詞用一般過去時,而主句的謂語動詞用現(xiàn)在完成時。例如:
I have made great progress since I was ill.
我自病愈以來取得了很大的進步。
值得注意的是:在It is +時間+since從句的句型中,主句多用一般現(xiàn)在時。例如:1. Where have you been since I last saw you?
自上次我和你見面以后,你到哪里去了?
2. It is four years since my sister lived in Beijing.
我妹妹不在北京住有四年了。
另外,since前有ever,或從句謂語動詞是be且后接表示人成長過程中的某個階段或年齡的名詞、形容詞時,仍然按字面意思理解。例如:
I have lived here ever since I was a child.
我從還是個孩子時就一直住在這兒。