This document discusses future time clauses, which use words like after, as soon as, once, when, before, until, while to connect two future events. The verb following these time words should be in the simple present tense, even though both events will occur in the future. The time clause can come before or after the main clause. When placed first, it requires a comma. Present perfect can also be used to emphasize completion of the first event. When and while connect events that will happen simultaneously.

1. Future Time Clauses
ESL 422

2. • When we talk about two events in the future,
we can use one sentence with a future time
clause.
• A future time clause may begin with after, as
soon as, once, or when.
• These time words come before the earlier
action.

3. Look at this timeline:
p a s t
1 2 f u t u r
e
X X X

4. p a s t
1 2 f u t u r
e
X X X
• After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• Once I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• When I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
What do you notice about
the verbs in these sentences?

5. • After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• Once I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• When I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
The verb after the time word is
simple present (even though it will
happen in the future).

6. p a s t
1 2 f u t u r
e
X X X
Before is another time word. It
comes before the later action.
Before I go to bed, I’ll finish my homework.
I’ll finish my homework before I go to bed.

7. Until is another time word. It comes before the earlier
action if that action will continue up to the second
action.
p a s t
1 2 f u t u r
e
X do my homework X
(9:00-10:59)
• Until I go to bed, I’ll do homework.

8. We can put the time clause at the beginning or end of the
sentence.
• After I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• I’ll go to bed after I finish my homework.
• As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish my homework.
If it’s at the beginning, use a comma to make your sentence
easier to read. (If it’s at the end, you don’t need a comma.)

9. In any of these sentences, you can use present perfect
after the time word.
It emphasizes that the action will be completed.
• Once I have finished my homework, I’ll go to bed.
• I’ll go to bed when I have finished my homework.
(This is less common than simple present.)

10. Use when or while if two future events will
happen at the same time.
p a s t I do my homework f u t u r
e
X My roommate sleeps
• While my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.
• When my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.

11. p a s t I do my homework f u t u r
e
X My roommate sleeps
Because the two events will happen at the same time, the
order of clauses doesn’t matter.
• While my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.
• My roommate will be sleeping while I do my homework.
Just remember: the verb after the time word should be
simple present.

12. Got it? Awesome!
• Please do exercises 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4
(pages 79-82).
• We’ll check them in class Thursday and go
over any questions you have.
Thanks!