Future Time Clauses

ESL 422

• 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 earlier action.

Look at this timeline:

X X Xnow finish my homework

go to bed

2

past future1

X X Xnow finish my homework

go to bed

2

past 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 Xnow finish my homework

go to bed

2

past 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 Xnow do my homework(9:00-10:59)

go to bed (11:00)

1 2

past 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.

Xnow

I do my homework

past future

My roommate sleeps

Xnow

I do my homework

past 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!

• Please do exercises 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 (pages 79-82).

• We’ll check them in class Thursday and go over any questions you have.

Thanks!