Key word	Additional info	Example
Before	most typical	Your shuttle leaves for Babylon 5 in two days. I hope that gives you enough time to put your affairs in order. Before you go, you'll be officially given the title of ambassador. [to Molary, s03e06, 00:31:38]
	with -ing it's formal/written style	Before coming here, I was authorized to begin implementing certain changes. [Nightwatch in s03e05 00:29:10]
prior to	formal/written style	I was told to report to you prior to contacting G'Kar directly. [Na'Far to Londo in s03e03 00:10:02]
Previously	fairly formal	It was nice to be in Venice. Previously I'd only been to Rome
Before that	more informal than Previously	Once I leave here, sooner or later they'll find me and I'll disappear Before that happens, someone has to know. [Women about shadow wessel on Mars in s03e08 00:12:07]
earlier on	before then, fairly informal	I was in the office from 2:30. I was out earlier on.
Formerly	fairly formal, typically written used when something has changed in its name, state...	The city is now called Thatcherville. Formerly it was Grabtown

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
when	when can be followed by the present tense or the present perfect tense, but not will	When I'm rich and famous, I'll buy a yacht
As soon as	as soon as can be followed by the present tense or the present perfect tense, but not will Immediately after	We'll take up position in hyperspace. As soon as we hear of a Shadow attack we'll jump out and engage one of their fleet ships. We will attempt to jam it and then destroy it. [Sheridan before test assail shadow wessel with Lita on board, s03e18]
Once	less specific	We must place a homing device in the central power core of Babylon 4. Once that's done, we can begin moving it through time. [Delenn about B4 in s03e17, 00:00:48]
The moment/the minute		She was supposed to be just another blip assigned to the re- education center. The moment I saw her I felt as though something long dead had awakened inside me. [Bester in s03e14, 00:35:13]
the time (that)		I stayed in the hospital the time I broke my leg.
On that occasion	more formal	I met Polly at Ken's wedding. On that occasion she was with a different man.

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
While	2 actions that need similar period of time	We're proceeding to Sector l4. Report back to the station. Keep an eye on things while we're gone. [Sheridan to Garibaldi in s03e16, 00:27:56]
	Action with while is longer than the other	While I was there, I had this flash. I saw a firefight here on the station. Something was invading Babylon 5. [Sinclar in s03e16, 00:07:09]
	more formal with -ing form of verb	We'll create a buffer zone between the two sides enforcing the blockade and turning the Centauri around while making sure that our guys don't open fire first. [During conflict with Centaur in s05e16, 00:30:01]
as	Two short actions happening at the same time As describes background when something happens in the foreground. As cannot be immediately followed by -ing	As I was driving to work, I saw an accident
just as	just can be added to emphasis just points to precise moment	I saw him just as I came out of the office
at the very time / at the very moment	more precise than as or just as	She was entering at the very time I was leaving
Whenever	every time	Whenever these bizarre and odd things occur, it gives me pain. Right here. [G'Kar to Sheridan about strange things before Molari appears in good mood in s02e07, 00:10:27]
Throughout	means from the beginning to the end of period of time	And to confirm earlier reports, President Clark has signed a decree today declaring martial law throughout Earth Central citing threats to planetary security. [ISN, s03e08 00:42:39]
During	doesn't specify how long within period of time	During your little war, you drove away the Shadows. Oh, yes.But you did not think to clean up your mess! There's the legacy of your war. [Molari in Future to Sheridan in s03e17, 00:01:23]

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
After		After I'd locked up, I went to bed.
	more formal	After locking up, I went to bed.
	very formal (we do not usually say)	It was I who recommended him for the position after the death of Emperor Cartagia. The Centaurum agreed. After having endured so much pain and suffering, he seemed a safe choice. [s05e17, 00:27:21]
Then / After that / Afterwards	Mostly interchangeable	First we went to theatre. After that, we had a meal. He fell ill and was admitted to hospital. He died soon afterwards
Afterwards	especially can be used if one thing happens soon after another	We had a couple of drinks, afterwards we went back to the flat
Following	fairly formal	...He is personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. Following these attacks Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have broken away from the Earth Alliance and declared independence. Babylon 5 now joins with them. [Sheridan about B5 independance in s03e10, 00:26:42]

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
In the meanwhile	between now and the meal in the example	Dinner will be ready in about an hour. In the meanwhile, relax and have a drink
Till then		The new computers are arriving soon. Till then, we'll have to use the old ones.
Since then		We were on deep patrol, when the Centauri struck Homeworld. Since then we have been fiighting for our lives. [Narn captatin in s02e22]
By the time	Don't use will	Hello, Michael. By the time you get this, should be long gone. [Sinclar, s03e16, 00:35:13]

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
First of all
Then / After that / afterwards
Finally / In the end / Eventually	Eventually and In the end can be used if something happens after a lot of time or problems	Eventually, they will have to turn their eye toward Narn itself. [Franklin to G'Kar in s02e20, 00:15:52]

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Key word	Additional info	Example
Firstly / Secondly / Thirdly		Firstly we haven't got enough money. Secondly the new models are not available yet. And thirdly the once we have will be OK for at least six month
For one thing / And for another	We can start with and follow by this in spoken English	Well, for one thing it's too big to go in the space. And for another it's very noisy
Anyway	For a second or final reason we can use anyway in spoken English	We can't go to that club because it's too far. Anyway, I'm not a member.

Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate, p.80
Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate, p.44

Vocabulary Rules