When he got home, he had...

Grammar notes

When One Thing Happened, Another Followed (When Clauses: Past)

Use when to connect two past actions or events.

It shows the moment when something else happened.

This is a useful storytelling pattern because it helps events line up clearly.

• Example: When I got home, I called Mum.
• Example: He smiled when he opened the present.

Quick Rule

• when + past action, main sentence
• use it to link two events in the past

It is a simple way to make past events hold hands.