30 Examples of Future Time Clauses in English
Examples / / April 17, 2023
The future times clausesin english they are subordinate clauses of future introduced by a conjunction of time (when, before, while, after, as soon as, until, once). For example: I want to be a doctor when I grow up. / I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
The action expressed in the subordinate clause provides the time frame for the action in the main clause.
Despite expressing future, the future time clausesare not followed by a future tense verb (simple future) but from a verb in the present (present simple). In Spanish the subjunctive is used. For example: when she finishes school, she will travel./ When she finishes school, she will travel. (And not: When she will finish school...)
- See also: Prayers in "simple future»
How are the future time clauses?
Future tense sentences in English follow the structure:
main clause + will | Future time clause(introduced by conjunction) + present simple |
We will visit them | when we go to Rome. |
we will visit them | when we go to Rome. |
The subordinate is always introduced by a conjunction
(when, before, after) and can come before or after the main clause. If it comes before, it is followed by a comma. Both clauses can be interchanged but not mixed. For example:- I will call you when I get home./ I'll call you when I get home.
- When I get home, I will call you./ When I get home, I'll call you. (And not: When I will get home…)
to take into account: The sentences infirst conditional or conditional type 1 follow the structure of the future time clauses. Used present simpleafter the conjunctions of condition (if, unless, in case) and willin the main clause.
- It can help you: Sentences with "will" and "won't"
conjunctions used in future time clauses
The conjunctions that introduce the future time clauses in English they are:
- when (when). For example: I'll tell him the news when I see him./ I'll tell him the news when I see him.
- while(while). For example: I'll be here while you are at the doctor's office. / I'll be here while you're at the doctor.
- before(before). For example: Can we talk before you leave?/ Can we talk before you go?
- despues de(after). For example: I will do the dishes despues de I finished eating./ I will wash the dishes after I finish eating.
- as soon as(as soon as). For example: as soon as I complete the exam, I'll hand it in./ As soon as I complete the exam, I'll hand it in.
- until (until). For example: He'll wait for us until we come back. / He will wait for us until we return.
- eleven (once, when). For example: Eleven you try this sushi, you'll never want any other./ Once you try this sushi, you won't want another.
- by the time(when). For example: By the time I finish the report, all the team will be gone./ By the time the report is over, the whole team will be gone.
- the moment(barely, as soon as). For example: The moment the show starts, I will let you know./ As soon as the show starts, I'll let you know.
Attention: The same conjunctions that introduce the future time clausesThey can be used to express past tense. For example: I was studying when the bell rang. / I was studying when the doorbell rang.
- It can help you: «past simple" in English
Verb tenses in the future time clauses
The future time clausesuse present simple in the subordinate and willin the main clause. For example: We will leave(main clause) as soon as it stops raining(subordinate). / We'll leave as soon as it stops raining.
The future time clausesThey can also include different tenses in both the subordinate and the main clause, depending on the context.
Verb tenses in the subordinate
Other forms and tenses can be used instead of the present simple in the subordinate clause, depending on the context:
- present perfect. It is used to emphasize the completion of the action in the subordinate clause before the start of the action in the main clause. For example: I will leave after I have finished eating./ I'll leave after I'm done eating.
- present continuous. It is used to express a period of time and not a specific moment, especially after while and when. For example: You will learn a lot while you are studying inOxford./ You will learn a lot while you are studying at Oxford.
- Gerund. can be used after before and despues de. For example: I will finish my homework before going out. / I will finish my homework before leaving.
Careful: never used will in the subordinate Will is used only in the main clause. For example: Yo will cook lunch when I get home. (And not: … when I will get home.)
Verb tenses in the main clause
Other forms and tenses can be used instead of willin the main clause, depending on the context:
- going to future. It is used in the main clause to express a goal or a future intention. For example:When I come back from vacation, I am going to eat more healthy food./ When I get back from my vacation, I'm going to eat more healthy food.
- future continuous. It is used in the main clause to express an action that will be in progress in the future. For example: When we arrive in Brazil, they will be relaxed on the beach./ When we get to Brazil, they will be relaxing on the beach.
- Imperative. It is used in the main clause when you want to express a future command or suggestion. For example: When you come to town, pass by./ When you come to town, visit me.
- Modal verbs. They are used in the main clause to express ability, advice or to ask for favors, among other functions. For example: When you finish the essay, you should reread it./ When you finish the essay, you should reread it.
- It can help you: «future perfect" in English
Examples of future time clauses
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When I travel to Paris, I will visit the Eiffel Tower.
When I travel to Paris, I will visit the Eiffel Tower. -
I want to be a vet when I grow up.
I want to be a vet when he grows up. -
I won't talk to Ted until he apologizes.
I won't talk to Ted until he apologizes. -
Please turn off the lights before you leave.
Please turn off the lights before you go. -
he will call us when the guests arrive.
He will call us when the guests arrive. -
what will you do despues de you graduated?
What will you do when you graduate? -
By the time we get there, the party will be over.
By the time we get there, the party will be over. -
I will drop by when I have some free time.
I will visit you when I have free time. -
Your parents will be satisfied eleven you have passed your exams.
Your parents will be satisfied once you have passed your exams. -
as soon as Mark gets here, the party will begin.
As soon as Mark arrives, the party will begin. -
They will save a lot of money while they are living abroad.
They will save a lot of money while living abroad. -
I will tell them the good news the moment I see them.
I'll tell you the good news as soon as I see you. -
Eleven we've settled down, I will throw a housewarming party.
Once we've settled in, I'll throw a housewarming party. -
He will work at the restaurant until he finds another job.
She will work in the restaurant until she finds another job. -
When my friends eat, we will watch a movie.
When my friends come over, we'll watch a movie. -
She will water the plants as soon as she gets back home.
She will water the plants as soon as she gets home. -
I will study until I take it all in.
I will study until I assimilate everything. -
Grandma will work on the garden when spring come.
Grandma will work in the garden when spring comes. -
I will tell them before they ask.
I'll tell them before they ask. -
The children will be able to play despues de they have finished their homework.
The children will be able to play after they have finished their homework. -
I will give you a call the moment I get there.
I'll call you as soon as I arrive. -
as soon as the boys appear, we will notify the police.
As soon as the children show up, we'll notify the police. -
We will wait here until the rain stops.
We'll wait here until the rain stops. -
I'll prepare dinner despues de I've had some rest.
I'll prepare dinner after having rested a bit. -
Eleven I've finished the book, I will lend it to you.
Once I've finished the book, I'll lend it to you. -
We'll set off as soon as the sun comes up.
We'll leave as soon as the sun rises. -
while you are in town, you must come and visit.
While you are in town, you must come and visit us. -
I will try to sleep as soon as the plane takes off.
I'll try to sleep as soon as the plane takes off. -
We will fly to New York when the nice weather sets in.
We will fly to New York when the good weather arrives. -
The boy will cry until his mom buys him candy.
The child will cry until his mother buys him candy.
Follow with:
- Sentences with "will be»
- Prayers in "future perfect»
- «past perfect" in English
- «Second conditional" in English
- «third conditional" in English
- Verbs in English