B2 Upper-intermediate Tenses and sequence of tenses
Future in time clauses
Lesson goal. After this lesson you will stop writing when I will arrive — after time linkers, English uses a present tense for future meaning.
When to use it
- Promising something after another event: I'll call you when I get home.
- Setting a time condition: Wait here until I come back.
- Writing plans, instructions and schedules.
Form
| Clause | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| time clause (when, until…) | present simple | when I get home, |
| main clause | will + verb | I will call you. |
| stresses that it is finished first | present perfect | After I have finished, I'll call. |
Step by step
- Find the time linker: when, as soon as, until, before, after, by the time, once.
- The clause after it takes the present simple, even though the meaning is future.
- The other clause takes will as normal.
- Careful: when in an indirect question does take will.
Two different whens
| Sentence | Type | will? |
|---|---|---|
| I'll call you when I arrive. | time clause | No — use the present |
| I don't know when he will arrive. | indirect question | Yes — use will |
| Tell me when you are ready. | time clause | No |
| I wonder when she will come. | indirect question | Yes |
Examples
I'll call you when I get home.
As soon as the film finishes, I'll text you.
Wait here until I come back.
Before you leave, please turn off the lights.
After I have finished my homework, I'll watch a film.
By the time you read this, I'll be on the plane.
Common mistakes
I will call you when I will arrive. → I will call you when I arrive.
Vietnamese allows the future marker in both halves, so learners copy will across. English allows it in one clause only.
As soon as he will come, we'll eat. → As soon as he comes, we'll eat.
as soon as is also a time linker → present simple.
We will leave after the guests will go. → We will leave after the guests go.
after is a time linker.
Memory tip
The rule is the same as in the first conditional: will cannot cross the word if — and here, when, until, as soon as. One rule, two lessons.
Summary
- After when, as soon as, until, before, after, by the time → present simple.
- The main clause still takes will.
- when in an indirect question does take will.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.