Time

Clauses
(future)
 Time clauses show that an event will
happen at a certain time.

Time clauses are preceded by adverbs or adverb phrases

when, before, after, as soon as, until

which show that they represent a time.

The verb after the adverb or adverb phrase is
Present Simple
(even though the action will happen in the future)

Tom will turn off the lights when he leaves the office. (NOT
-
when he will leave).
Tom will turn off the lights - is the main clause and we use the
Future Simple;
when he leaves the office - is the time clause and we use the
Present Simple.
 - Dad will reply to the letter when he comes home from work. (NOT when he
will come home).
- I will tidy the living room before I go to bed. (NOT before I will go to bed).
- They will do the shopping before we arrive. (NOT before we will arrive).
- She will go running after 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 until I finish the report. (NOT until I will finish the report).
- 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 at the airport).
- The operation will begin as soon as the patient is ready. (NOT as soon as the
patient will be ready).
after, as soon as, when, until
before the earlier action
- After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
- As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
- When I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
- Until I finish my homework, I’ll not go to bed.

(The earlier action is I finish my homework; the later action is I’ll

go to bed).
before for the later action
- Before I go to bed, I’ll finish my homework.
- I will tidy the living room before I go to bed.
- They will do the shopping before we arrive.
time clause at the beginning or at the end of
the sentence

After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

OR
I’ll go to bed after I finish my homework.

As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.

OR
I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish my homework.

(The only difference is we use a comma if the time clause is at the

beginning of the sentence).