3 Future Time

Clauses

Dreams for the

Future

Focus on Grammar 3
Part I, Unit 7
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Future
Future Dreams
Dreams 11

I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

Future
Future Dreams
Dreams 22

Before we have a baby,

we’ll buy a bigger house.
 Future
Future Dreams
Dreams 33

I won’t quit my job until I win the lottery.

 Future
Future Dreams
Dreams 44

After we retire, we’re going to travel.

 Form
Form
A complex sentence about future time has two
clauses: a main clause and a time clause.

I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

Main Clause Time Clause

 Main
Main Clause
Clause
The verb in the main clause is often in the
future.

MAIN CLAUSE TIME

CLAUSE
Verb
Will or Other
Subject (base
be + going to information
form)
before we
We will buy a house
have a baby.
until he wins
He won’t quit his job
the lottery.
after we
We are going to travel
retire.
 Time
Time Clause
Clause
The verb in the time clause is often in the
present.

TIME CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Time Verb Other

Subject
word ( present) information
we will buy a
Before we have a baby
house.
he won’t quit his
Until he wins the lottery
job.
we are going to
After we retire
travel.
 Be
Be Careful!
Careful!
Don’t use will or be going to in the future
time clause.

When
When X
I will
I save
save
enough
enough
money,
money,
I’m
I’m
going
going
toto
buy
buy
a car.
a car.
 Clause
Clause Order
Order 11
Time clauses can come at the beginning or end
of sentences.

I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

Time Clause

Before we have a baby,we’ll buy a bigger house.

Time Clause

Use a comma only when the time clause

begins the sentence.
 Clause
Clause Order
Order 22

When she finishes school ,she’ll join the Peace Corps.

Time Clause Main Clause

(present) (future)

I won’t get married until I meet the right person.

Main Clause Time Clause

(future) (present)
,
As soon as they graduate they’ll look for a job.

Time Clause Main Clause

(present) (future)
 Time
Time Expressions
Expressions 11

when
after
not . . . until
Introduce the
as soon as first event

When they save money, they’ll buy a new car.

now

past future
 Put the verbs in the correct
Practice 1 tense. Add commas where
necessary.

Example: After he (graduate) ___ he (go) ___ to law school.

After he graduates, he’ll go to law school.

1. They (own) __ a house by the time they (be) ___ married.

They will own a house by the time they are married.

2. She (not/start) __ her own business until she (get) ___ more
experience.
She won’t start her own business until she gets more experience.
3. As soon as he (become) __ manager he (take) __ a vacation.

As soon as he becomes manager, he’s going to take a vacation.

 Time
Time Expressions
Expressions 22

before
until
Introduce the
by the time second event

Before he gets married, he’ll find a good job.

now

past future
 Combine the sentences using the
Practice 2 time word provided. In each pair,
statement A is the first event.

Example: A. The children will go to college.

B. She will go back to school. [as soon as]
As soon as the children go to college, she’ll go back to
school.
1. A. You will finish your exams.
B. We will (not) celebrate. [until]
We won’t celebrate until you finish your exams.

2. A. My brother will buy a new suit.

B. He will go on an interview. [before]
My brother will buy a new suit before he goes on an interview.

3. A. She will pass the driving test.

B. She will borrow the family car. [after]
After she passes the driving test, she will borrow the family car.
 References
References

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and

its licensors. All rights reserved.