How to differentiate als from wenn
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What you need to know
The English translation for "als" and "wenn" is "when" which regularly causes confusion in a learner's mind. With a bit of information you will be able to use them properly when speaking German. So here we go:
Both, wenn and als, have multiple functions. The most important one is to provide us with information about the time in which things happened. Take a look at these two examples and try to figure out what differentiates them from each other:
1. Als ich nach Hause gekommen bin, hat das Licht gebrannt.
2. Wenn ich nach Hause komme, brennt das Licht.
Did you already notice the main difference between these two sentences? If not, take a look at the tense that is being used in each sentence.
"als" is used exclusively (!) for the past tense while
"wenn" is used exclusively for the present tense.
While there is an exception for "wenn" it is a rather rare one and you (!) never have to make active use of that. When reading (!) the following sentence you shouldn't have any trouble making sense of it:
Immer wenn ich betrunken nach Hause gekommen bin (=past tense), hat mein Mann auf mich gewartet.
Unless you want to become an author or story teller of some sort, you will never have to use (immer) wenn actively but only have to be able to understand it. So in very few words:
ALS - PAST | THINK OF DAMALS (= BACK THEN)
WENN - PRESENT
This topic is covered in: B2-L05