Future Time Clauses

Teacher Luis

Intermediate Grammar

• When we talk about two events in the future, we can use one sentence with a future time clause.

• A future time clause may begin with after, as soon as, once, or when.

• These time words come before the earlieraction.

Look at this timeline:

X X X2past future1

X X X2past future1

• After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• Once I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• When I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

What do you notice about the verbs in these sentences?

• After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• Once I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• When I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

The verb after the time word is simple present (even though it will

happen in the future).

X X X2past future1

Before is another time word. It

comes before the later action.

Before I go to bed, I’ll finish my homework.

I’ll finish my homework before I go to bed.

Until is another time word. It comes before the earlier action if that action will continue up to the second action.

X Xdo my homework(9:00-10:59)

1 2past future

• Until I go to bed, I’ll do homework.

We can put the time clause at the beginning or end of the sentence.

• After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• I’ll go to bed after I finish my homework.

• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish my homework.

If it’s at the beginning, use a comma to make your sentence easier to read. (If it’s at the end, you don’t need a comma.)

In any of these sentences, you can use present perfect after the time word.

It emphasizes that the action will be completed.

• Once I have finished my homework, I’ll go to bed.

• I’ll go to bed when I have finished my homework.

(This is less common than simple present.)

Use when or while if two future events will happen at the same time.

• While my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.

• When my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.

XI do my homeworkpast future

My roommate sleeps

XI do my homeworkpast future

My roommate sleeps

Because the two events will happen at the same time, the

order of clauses doesn’t matter.

• While my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.

• My roommate will be sleeping while I do my homework.

Just remember: the verb after the time word should be

simple present.

Got it? Awesome!

Thanks!