FUTURE TIME CLAUSES

Expressing future time after 'when', 'before', 'after', 'as soon as', 'until'

What is a time clause?
Time clauses are preceded by adverbs or adverb phrases which show that they represent a time.
Examples of these adverbs or adverb phrases are: when, before, after, as soon as, until.

A time clause shows that an event will happen at a certain time. Although they have a subject, verb and object, these clauses simply point to a time, similar to saying "at 7 o'clock".

Tom will turn off the lights when he leaves the office. (Not when he will leave ).
Dad will reply to the letterwhen he comes home from work. (NOT when he will come home .)
I will tidy the living-room beforeI go to bed. (Not before I will go ).
They will do the shopping before we arrive. (NOT before we will arrive .)
She will go runningafter it stops raining. (Not after it will stop raining. )
Alex will write a review after he finishes reading the book. (NOT after he will finish reading the book.) .
I will not go home untilI finish the report. (NOT until I will finish ).
The nurse will wait until the ambulance arrives. (NOT until the ambulance will arrive .)
Jane will call her mother as soon as she arrives at the airport. (Not as soon as she will arrive ).
The operation will begin as soon as the patient is ready. (NOT as soon as the patient will be ready.)

Tony will call the restaurant the moment he gets home.
I'll contact you onceI receive an estimate.
You will be notifiedthe minute your order arrives.
It will be dark by the time we arrive home.

The momentI hear the doorbell, I will put on my coat.
I will put on my coat the moment I hear the doorbell.
The dayyou graduate, your mother will bevery happy.
Your mother will be very happy the day you graduate.

The materials on this website may be copied for use in the classroom or for private study. Any other use without permission is forbidden.