Rule 11.5: Time Clauses - the Future

Expressing the future in time clauses

Examples Explanation

a) Bobby will come soon. When Bobby comes, we will leave.
b) Amber is going to leave soon. Before she leaves, she is going to finish her work.
c) I will get home at 6:00. After I get home, I will eat dinner.
d) The taxi will arrive soon. As soon as it arrives, we’ll be able to leave for the airport.
e) They are going to come soon. I’ll wait here until they come.

In (a): “When Bobby comes” is a time clause.
When + subject + verb = a time clause.

Will or be going to is NOT used in a time clause. The meaning of the clause is future, but the simple present tense is used.

A time clause begins with such words as when, before, after, as soon as, until, and includes a subject and a verb. The time clause can come either at the beginning of the sentence or in the second part of the sentence:
When he comes, we’ll see him.
OR
We’ll see him when he comes.
f) I will go to bed after I finish my work.
g) I will go to bed after I have finished my work.
Occasionally, the present perfect is used in a time clause, as in (g). Examples (f) and (g) have the same meaning. The present perfect stresses the completion of the act in the time clause before the other act occurs in the future.