Controlling an image forming apparatus includes transferring an image of a first page onto an intermediate transfer member, determining whether the image of a second page, which follows, can be transferred side by side with the image of the first page during a time period in which the intermediate transfer member is rotated to a transfer position for the image of the second page, controlling, if a result of the determination is negative and predetermined information has been received, the image of the second page to be transferred side by side with the image of the first page after rotating the intermediate transfer member at least one revolution, and controlling, if the predetermined information has not been received, the transferred image of the first page to be transferred onto the sheet, without transferring the image of the second page side by side with the transferred image of the first page.