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Agnieszka Piasecka
TENSE SIMPLIFICATION IN VARIOUS SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
In conditional clauses and time clauses the present tense is used instead of the
future.
In fact, the rule is more general than this. THE PRESENT IS USED INSTEAD OF
THE FUTURE IN MOST SUBORDINATE CLAUSES, if the verb in the main clause is
future or has a future meaning.
The police will stop anyone who (=whoever) tries to get too close, whoever
(=no matter who) it is.
I’ll always do what I is best for everybody. NOMINAL CLAUSE
The first person who opens that door will get a shock. RELATIVE CLAUSE
I will go where you go. ADVERBIAL CLAUSE
These rules do not apply to coordinate clauses (and, but, or), or to adverbial
clauses of concession, reason, and result.
I will not come to the party, because I will be busy tomorrow.
In comparative clauses usually both the present and the future can be used:
If the main verb is present, the future tense can be used in the subordinate
clause:
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Practical Grammar Year 1
Agnieszka Piasecka
I don’t know where she will be next week.
The present tense is normally used with a future meaning after in case, I hope,
I bet, it doesn’t matter, I don’t care, I don’t mind, It’s not important, etc.
Similar rules hold about the use of the past and past perfect tenses if the main
verb is conditional: