A ‣ When / As soon as

The meaning of these two time expressions is almost the same, but as soon as suggests something more immediate or important.

I’ll phone my uncle when / as soon as I get home.

As soon as / When you’ve finished this exercise, you can go home.

B ‣ Two things happening at the same time

Violet got ready while I cooked the dinner. [two long actions]

The accident happened while I was on my way to work. [a longer action ‘on my way to work’ and a short action ‘the accident’; we can also use when or as here.]

I saw him (just) as I came out of the office. [two short actions happening at the same time; we can also use when here]

C ‣ One thing after another

We met the others in the café, and then / after that / afterwards we went to the match.

I talked to Joe, and afterwards [at a later time but usually the same day] I came home.

I was in Caracas for three months, and then / after that I went to Colombia.

After my visit to New York, I decided to have a rest.

We had something to eat before going out.

D ‣ A sequence* of actions

We had a really nice holiday.First of all / First we spent a few days in St Moritz. After that / Then we drove down the coast and stayed in Portofino for a week. Finally, we went back to Switzerland to stay with my uncle. (Finally is used here to introduce the last thing in a list.)

* one action after another, and so on

E ‣ At first … eventually

To begin with, the two girls got on very well when they shared the flat. But after a while [a period of time], they started arguing about various things, and eventually [finally, after a long time or a lot of problems] Lauren walked out and found a new place.

At first I enjoyed the classes, but after a while it got a bit boring, and in the end [finally, after a period of time or thought] I left.

F ‣ A list of reasons

We can use firstly / for one thing / for a start to introduce a first reason for something, and then secondly / besides / anyway to add a further reason.

A: What’s wrong with her new dress?
B: Firstly, it’s a horrible colour, and secondly, I don’t think it suits her.

A: Why can’t we go out tonight?
B: Well, for one thing / for a start, I’ve got a lot of work – and besides / anyway, I can’t afford it.