In English grammar, future time clauses play an essential role in how we express actions or events that will occur at a specific time in the future. These clauses help us establish timelines and sequence events, making communication about the future clearer. Understanding how future time clauses work allows us to construct more complex and precise sentences.
In this article, we will explore what future time clauses are, how they function in English, and how to use them correctly. We will look at their structure, common conjunctions, tenses used, punctuation rules, and examples. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped to master future time clauses and incorporate them naturally into your English.
What Are Future Time Clauses?
A future time clause is a type of dependent clause that refers to a specific time in the future. These clauses contain a time expression and are typically introduced by conjunctions such as when, while, after, before, until, and as soon as. The key rule is that future time clauses do not use the future tense. Instead, they use a present tense to express a future event relative to the main clause.
Basic Features of Future Time Clauses:
Dependence: A future time clause cannot stand alone. It needs to be connected to an independent (main) clause.
Time Expressions: They include words like “when,” “before,” “until,” and “while” to indicate the time relation.
Present Tense Usage: Despite referring to the future, the dependent clause uses the present tense, not the future tense.
Structure of Future Time Clauses
In a future time clause, the main clause (independent clause) expresses the future action, while the dependent time clause indicates the event that will happen before or after the action in the main clause. The dependent clause typically uses a present tense verb.
Here are the two key types of sentence structures:
Dependent Clause First:
When the time clause comes first, you separate it from the main clause with a comma.
Example: “When I finish my work, I will call you.”
Main Clause First:
If the main clause is first, there is no comma.
Example: “I will call you when I finish my work.”
It’s important to note that the use of a comma between the clauses depends on the order of the clauses, not the meaning.
Common Conjunctions Used in Future Time Clauses
To truly understand future time clauses, it’s essential to explore the conjunctions that commonly introduce them. These words are the key to indicating the relationship between the two actions: the future event and the timing of that event. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the most common conjunctions used in future time clauses and their specific nuances.
1. When
Meaning: “When” is used to refer to the point in time when an event happens.
Usage: It can imply that the event is certain to happen.
Example: “When I get home, I’ll call you.”
Here, “when” establishes that the action of calling will definitely occur once the speaker gets home.
Common Mistake: A frequent error occurs when learners mistakenly use “will” in the time clause.
Incorrect: “When I will get home, I’ll call you.”
Correct: “When I get home, I’ll call you.”
2. As Soon As
Meaning: This expression is used to describe something that happens immediately after another action.
Usage: “As soon as” emphasizes the immediacy of the action in the main clause.
Example: “I’ll start cooking as soon as I finish my work.”
The action of starting to cook is immediately triggered by finishing work.
Example (for more advanced use): “As soon as the meeting is over, I’ll head to the airport.”
3. Before
Meaning: Used when an action in the main clause occurs earlier than the action in the time clause.
Usage: Indicates that the action in the main clause must happen before the event in the time clause.
Example: “I will finish the project before you arrive.”
The speaker commits to finishing the project before the person arrives.
4. After
Meaning: This conjunction signals that an event in the main clause will happen after the event in the time clause.
Usage: Used to show that the event in the time clause happens first, and the event in the main clause will follow.
Example: “After I finish my work, I will relax.”
The action of relaxing is guaranteed to happen once the speaker finishes working.
5. Until
Meaning: “Until” refers to the time from now up to a specific point in the future.
Usage: The action in the main clause is meant to continue until the point mentioned in the time clause.
Example: “I will stay here until you return.”
The action of staying will last until the person returns.
Common Mistake: People often misuse “until” by incorrectly placing it in the main clause.
Incorrect: “I will stay here until you will return.”
Correct: “I will stay here until you return.”
6. While
Meaning: “While” is used when two actions will occur at the same time in the future.
Usage: It highlights the simultaneous occurrence of actions.
Example: “While I am cooking, he will set the table.”
Both actions are happening at the same time, in the future.
Advanced Example: “While I wait for the bus, I’ll check my emails.”
Tenses in Future Time Clauses
Future time clauses may refer to actions or events that will happen in the future. While the main clause uses a future tense (usually “will” or “going to”), the time clause uses a present tense.
Here’s how to handle the tenses in future time clauses:
Simple Present Tense:
Used when referring to scheduled or routine events.
Example: “I will go to the gym when I finish work.”
Present Progressive Tense:
Used to indicate actions that are planned or in progress in the future.
Example: “She will call you while she is on her way home.”
Present Perfect Tense:
Can be used in the time clause to emphasize that one action is completed before another begins.
Example: “I will help you once I have finished my project.”
The Basic takeaway is that future time clauses always use a present tense, whether it’s simple present, present progressive, or present perfect, regardless of the future meaning of the sentence.
Types of Future Tense in Main Clauses
Understanding how future time clauses interact with various types of future tenses in the main clause is crucial for mastering the grammatical structure. While the time clause uses the present tense, the main clause can be structured with a range of future tenses depending on the situation.
1. Will + Infinitive
The most common future tense used in main clauses is “will + infinitive”. This is the default structure for expressing future actions.
Example: “I will read a book when I finish my homework.”
“Will” indicates a future action, while the time clause “when I finish my homework” uses the present tense to refer to a future event.
2. Be Going To + Infinitive
“Be going to” is used for plans or predictions. It suggests that the action is already planned or expected to happen.
Example: “We are going to leave when the rain stops.”
The use of “are going to” indicates a planned action, which will occur once the rain stops.
3. Future Continuous (will be + -ing form)
The future continuous tense expresses an ongoing action that will be happening at a specific time in the future. This is often used to describe parallel actions or actions happening at the same time as another.
Example: “I will be studying when you arrive.”
The speaker is indicating that they will be in the process of studying when the other person arrives.
4. Future Perfect (will have + past participle)
The future perfect tense describes an action that will be completed before another action takes place in the future. This tense helps emphasize the completion of one action before the start of another.
Example: “By the time you arrive, I will have finished my project.”
The speaker emphasizes the completion of their project before the other person arrives.
5. Imperative
Sometimes, the imperative is used in the main clause when the speaker is giving a command or making a request, often after a time clause.
Example: “When you are ready, call me!”
The imperative “call me” is used after the future time clause “when you are ready.”
Using Present Perfect vs. Simple Present in Future Time Clauses
Both the present perfect and simple present can be used in future time clauses, depending on the context and the emphasis.
Present Perfect: This tense focuses on actions that are completed before the event in the future. It’s often used to emphasize the sequence of events.
Example: “I will go home once I have finished my work.”
The present perfect “have finished” indicates that the work will be completed before the person goes home.
Simple Present: The simple present is used for actions that are certain to happen in the future or for scheduled events.
Example: “I will call you when I finish my work.”
The simple present “finish” indicates the event that will occur in the future, but it uses the present tense.
Summary of Present Perfect vs. Simple Present
| Tense | Usage |
|---|---|
| Present Perfect | Used for actions that will be completed before another future event. |
| Simple Present | Used for events that are certain to happen or for scheduled actions. |
Punctuation in Future Time Clauses
The punctuation used in future time clauses is relatively simple. The key rule is that when the time clause comes first, it should be separated from the main clause by a comma. However, if the main clause comes first, no comma is needed.
With Comma:
“Once I finish my work, I will go for a walk.”
Without Comma:
“I will go for a walk once I finish my work.”
This rule helps with the clarity of sentence structure, ensuring that the meaning is easily understood.
More Complex Uses of Future Time Clauses
While we’ve covered the basics of future time clauses, there are more advanced uses that can make your communication even more precise and nuanced. These variations allow for flexibility in expressing future actions in different contexts. Below are some complex uses of future time clauses that can enhance your mastery of the topic.
1. Combining Multiple Time Clauses
Sometimes, we need to combine more than one future time clause in a sentence to convey a more intricate sequence of actions. This can be done to describe multiple events in the future that are related to each other.
Example: “When I finish my work, I will call you, and after we talk, I will go for a walk.”
In this example, there are two future time clauses: “when I finish my work” and “after we talk.” Both clauses are dependent on the events in the main clause.
This type of structure is useful when talking about actions that depend on multiple factors in the future. It helps to create a clear and coherent timeline of events.
2. Using Future Time Clauses for Hypothetical Situations
In addition to describing definite future events, future time clauses can also be used in hypothetical or conditional sentences, especially when discussing future possibilities or imagined situations.
Example: “If she calls me when she arrives, I will be able to meet her.”
Here, the future time clause “when she arrives” is part of a conditional sentence, indicating that the action in the main clause depends on the event in the time clause.
This use is helpful when expressing conditions or possibilities that might occur in the future but are not yet certain.
3. Incorporating Future Progressive and Future Perfect
As we discussed earlier, the future progressive and future perfect tenses can be used in the main clause to describe actions that will be ongoing or completed before another event in the future.
Future Progressive: “I will be waiting for you when you arrive.”
This sentence emphasizes the ongoing action (waiting) that will be happening when another future event occurs (arrival).
Future Perfect: “I will have completed the report before you arrive.”
This structure highlights that one action (completing the report) will be finished before another action (arrival) happens.
Using these tenses in the main clause with future time clauses allows for a deeper expression of future events, particularly when you need to emphasize timing, completion, or ongoing activity.
4. Using the Imperative in Future Time Clauses
The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. Interestingly, it can also appear in the main clause of a sentence with a future time clause, particularly in informal or direct contexts.
Example: “When you finish your homework, call me!”
The imperative “call me” is used to instruct someone to take action once the event in the future time clause (“when you finish your homework”) occurs.
This construction is particularly useful in conversations where the speaker is giving instructions or requests related to a future event.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
To ensure you’re using future time clauses correctly, it’s important to be aware of some common mistakes. Understanding these errors will help you avoid confusion and communicate more effectively.
1. Using Future Tense in the Time Clause
One of the most frequent mistakes with future time clauses is using the future tense in the time clause. Remember, the time clause always uses the present tense, regardless of the future meaning of the sentence.
Incorrect: “When I will finish my work, I will call you.”
Correct: “When I finish my work, I will call you.”
The future tense should only appear in the main (independent) clause, not in the time clause.
2. Misplacing Commas with Time Clauses
As we discussed earlier, commas should be used when the future time clause comes first. However, when the main clause comes first, you don’t need a comma.
Incorrect: “I will call you when I finish my work,.”
Correct: “I will call you when I finish my work.”
Ensuring correct punctuation helps your sentences flow smoothly and improves clarity.
3. Confusing “When” and “If”
In some languages, “when” and “if” might be used interchangeably to refer to future actions. However, in English, these two words have different meanings and should not be confused.
When is used when we are certain that something will happen in the future.
Example: “When I arrive, I will call you.”
If is used when we’re unsure whether the event will happen, expressing uncertainty or a conditional relationship.
Example: “If I arrive early, I will call you.”
Using “when” and “if” correctly helps convey your certainty or uncertainty about future events.
Conclusion On Future Time Clauses
Future time clauses are a powerful tool in English grammar, allowing you to describe and sequence future actions with precision. By understanding the key conjunctions, tenses, and punctuation rules, you can effectively express a wide range of future events. Remember that the present tense is used in the time clause, even when referring to the future, and that careful attention to word order and punctuation will ensure your sentences are grammatically correct.
Whether you’re discussing definite future actions, hypothetical situations, or the simultaneous occurrence of events, future time clauses give you the flexibility to communicate clearly and accurately. Practice combining different time clauses, using varied tenses, and incorporating the right conjunctions to improve your writing and speaking skills.
Now that you’ve mastered future time clauses, you’ll be able to create more complex and meaningful sentences that reflect the timeline of future actions.