⚡️Further reading on Future Time Clauses (when I do and when I have done) if and when⚡️
♦️ Future time clauses are dependent clauses that must be joined to independent (main) clauses. It is customary to use the Future Tense in the independent clause and the Simple Present tense in the dependent (time) clause.
Do not use the future in the time clause.
- When the movie ends, I will go to bed. ✅
- When the movie ends, I am going to bed. ✅
- When the movie ends, I am going to go to bed. ✅
- When the movie will end, I will go to bed. ❌ ((Don't use the Future Tense in the dependent (time) clause))
♦️ Time clauses often start with: "when, while, before, after, as soon as, and until".
- As soon as I finish the dishes, I'll help you with your homework.
- ِAfter she finishes work, she will go home.
- Before I visit you, I will call you.
- As soon as it stops raining, we will play football.
- While I wait for the bus, I will have coffee.
♦️ In conditional clauses with words like if, unless, even if, we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:
- We will not be able to go out if it is raining.
- I will come tomorrow unless I have to look after the children.
- Even if they lose tomorrow, they will still be champions.
♦️ We do not normally use 'will' in Time Clauses and Conditional Clauses:
- I will come home when I finish work. (NOT will finish work)
- We will not be able to go out if it rains. (NOT will rain)
- It will be nice to see Peter when he gets home. (NOT will get home)
- You must wait here until your father comes. (NOT will come)
♦️ But we can use 'will' if it means want to or be willing to:
- I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
- We should finish the job early if George will help us.
♦️ Time clauses with reference to the future can also be introduced by other expressions such as: (once, the moment, the minute, the day, by the time...)
- Tony will call the restaurant the moment he gets home.
- I'll contact you once I receive an estimate.
- You will be notified the minute your order arrives.
- It will be dark by the time we arrive home.
♦️ When we want to concentrate on the completion of the first verb before the second verb starts happening, we use the Present Perfect instead of the Simple Present in the Independent (main) Clauses. Compare:
- When you finish your homework, you can watch TV. (S/he may be allowed to watch TV without even really finishing their homework).
- When you have finished your homework, you can watch TV. (S/he will NOT be allowed to watch TV unless they really finish their homework).
Other two examples:
- When it stops raining, we will go out. (We may even go out before the rain actually stops).
- When it has stopped raining, we will go out. (We will NOT go out until the rain has totally stopped).
