time clauses

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

2. Future Dreams 1Future Dreams 1
I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

3. Before we have a baby,
we’ll buy a bigger house.
Future Dreams 2Future Dreams 2

4. Future Dreams 3Future Dreams 3
I won’t quit my job until I win the lottery.

5. Future Dreams 4Future Dreams 4
After we retire, we’re going to travel.

6. FormForm
I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.
A complex sentence about future time has two
clauses: a main clause and a time clause.
Main ClauseMain Clause Time ClauseTime Clause

7. Main ClauseMain Clause
will
TIME
CLAUSE
MAIN CLAUSE
after we
retire.
until he wins
the lottery.
before we
have a baby.
travelare going toWe
his jobquitwon’tHe
a housebuyWe
Other
information
Verb
(base
form)
Will or
be + going to
Subject
The verb in the main clause is often in the
future.

8. Time ClauseTime Clause
TIME CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
we are going to
travel.
he won’t quit his
job.
we will buy a
house.
retireweAfter
the lotterywinsheUntil
a babyhaveweBefore
Other
information
Verb
( present)
Subject
Time
word
The verb in the time clause is often in the
present.

9. Be Careful!Be Careful!
Don’t use will or be going to in the future
time clause.
When I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.When I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.willXWhen I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.When I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.

10. Before we have a baby we’ll buy a bigger house.,
Clause Order 1Clause Order 1
Use a comma only when the time clause
begins the sentence.
Use a comma only when the time clause
begins the sentence.
I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.
Time clauses can come at the beginning or end
of sentences.
Time ClauseTime Clause
Time ClauseTime Clause

11. ,
,
When she finishes school she’ll join the Peace Corps.
I won’t get married until I meet the right person.
As soon as they graduate they’ll look for a job.
Clause Order 2Clause Order 2
Time Clause
(present)
Time Clause
(present)
Time Clause
(present)
Time Clause
(present)
Time Clause
(present)
Time Clause
(present)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)

12. Time Expressions 1Time Expressions 1
Introduce the
first event
When they save money,
past
now
future
they’ll buy a new car.
when
after
not . . . until
as soon as

13. Practice 1Practice 1
Put the verbs in the correct
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.
2. She (not/start) __ her own business until she (get) ___ more
experience.
3. As soon as he (become) __ manager he (take) __ a vacation.
They will own a house by the time they are married.
She won’t start her own business until she gets more experience.
As soon as he becomes manager, he’s going to take a vacation.

14. Time Expressions 2Time Expressions 2
Introduce the
second event
Before he gets married,
past
now
future
he’ll find a good job.
before
until
by the time

15. Practice 2Practice 2
Combine the sentences using
the time word provided. In each
pair, 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.

16. ReferencesReferences
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.