FUTURE TIME CLAUSES FUTURE TIME CLAUSES FUTURE TIME CLAUSES FUTURE TIME CLAUSES

When we describe events and actions expected to take place in the future, we use future
tenses. Remember we have future simple, future progressive and future perfect tenses.
When we have time clauses that refer to future time, the verb in the time clause is
usually in the present tense not in the future tense.

The time clauses in the English language are introduced by conjunctions such as after,
as soon as, before, till, until, when, whenever, while or expressions such as the
minute, the moment etc. The construction form is the same as the first conditional for the
future. Read the example sentences

WHEN
When I finish writing the reports, I will go out with my friends.
She will move to East Sarajevo when she finds a good job.
When the party is over, well clean the house.

BEFORE
Before I go to Budva, Ill book a room.
Milosh will visit all his relatives before he joins the army.
They wont transfer any players before they sign the advertising agreement.

AFTER
After her sister prepares dinner, theyll invite their neighbours.
My father will buy a new car after he saves enough money.
What will you do after you finish the French course?

AS SOON AS
They will go to the beach as soon as they have their breakfast.
All the players in the national team will go on holiday as soon as the Europian
Championship is over.
Dont worry mom. I will phone you as soon as I arrive Paris.

UNTIL
Will you wait for me until I get back? (refers to a point of time in the future)
You can go out. I will wait until she calls.
They wont start the match until the rain stops.
I wont buy anything new until I pay all my debts.

IF
If I go home early tonight, I will watch the Olympic Games.
Tara will buy a new TV set if the price goes down.
If you pass the test, what will you do?

HAVE YOU NOTICED THE STRUCTURE
when, after, before, as soon as, until, if are followed by SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE.
Main clasuses in these sentences are followed by future will.
**PRACTICE**
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs.
1) When the manager _____________ ( arrive ), they _______________ ( start ) the
meeting.
2) If he _____________ ( reach ) the sales target this year, the company ____________ (
award ) him.
3) We _______________ ( start ) the construction of a shooping center as soon as the
government __________( allow ) us to begin.
4) After she __________ ( find ) a good house in Karyaka, she_______________ ( buy
) some new furniture.
5) If Alex _______________ ( feel ) better at the weekend, he _______________ ( play )
in the match against Milan.
6) I will have to finish the reports before the manager _______________ ( call ).
7) She _______________( eat ) anything until the doctor_______________( tells ) her to
eat.
KEY: 1. arrives / will start 2. reaches / will award 3. will start / allows 4. finds / will
buy 5. feels / will play 6. calls 7. wont eat / tells

Future in time clauses - grammar rules
Compare:
I'll come back home and I'll do it. x I'll do it when I come back home. (when I come is the
time clause)
You will push this button and the door will open. x As soon as you push this button the
door will open.
Don't stand up. First I'll tell you. x Don't stand up till (until) I tell you.
You'll need my car. Take it. x Whenever you need my car you can take it.
You'll tidy up the house and I'll do the shopping. x You'll tidy up the house while I do the
shopping.
You will drop the bomb and it will explode. x The moment you drop the bomb it will
explode.

Similarly, other future forms also change to the present simple tense.
He is going to leave. The room will be empty. x As soon as he leaves the room will be
empty.
We are moving next week. Then we'll call you. x When we move next week we'll call you.