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Verbs in time clauses and conditionals follow the same patterns as

in other clauses except:

 In clauses with time words like when, after, until we often use
the present tense forms to talk about the future:
I’ll come home when I finish work.
You must wait here until your father comes.
They are coming after they have had dinner.

 in conditional clauses with if or unless we often use the present


tense forms to talk about the future:
We won’t be able to go out if it is raining.
If Barcelona win tomorrow they will be champions.
I will come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.

 We do not normally use will in clauses with if or with time words:


I’ll come home when I will finish work.
We won’t be able to go out if it will rain. rains.
It will be nice to see Peter when he will get home gets home.
You must wait here until your father will come comes.

 but we can use will if it means a promise or offer:


I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
We should finish the job early if George will help us.
If the main clause is about the past we use a modal with have:

If you had seen him you You did not see him so you
=
could have spoken to him. could not speak to him.

You couldn’t stay with us


You could have stayed with us if
= because you didn’t come to
you had come to London.
London.

If you had invited me I You didn’t invite me so I


=
might have come. didn’t come.
If the main clause is about the present we use a present tense
form or a modal without have:

If I had got the job we would I did not get the job so we are
=
be livingin Paris now. not living in Paris now.

If you had done your You did not do your homework


homework you would = so you do not know the
know the answer. answer.

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