Future Time Clauses

Future Time Clauses in English (When, While, Before, After, Until, As Soon As)

Hello, English learners! 👋 Welcome to a new lesson.

When we talk about the future in English, we don’t always use future tenses. In fact, when we use time clauses, English follows a very important rule that often surprises learners.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how future time clauses work, which verbs we use, and how to avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes in English.

What are future time clauses?

Future time clauses describe when something will happen. They usually begin with a time word such as:

when, while, before, after, until, as soon as

Although they refer to the future, we do NOT use a future tense in the time clause.

👉 Instead:

• the time clause uses the present simple
• the main clause uses a future form (usually will)

The time clause can come first or second in the sentence.

Future time clauses with when

We use when to say that one future action will happen at the same time as or immediately after another future action.

Structure:

when + present simple, … will + verb

Examples:

• I’ll make dinner when I get home.
• When I finish my homework, I’ll give you a call.
• We’ll start the meeting when everyone arrives.

Future time clauses with while

We use while to show that two actions will be happening at the same time in the future.

Examples:

• I’ll finish my report while you prepare dinner.
• While I’m on holiday, my neighbour will water my plants.
• He’ll work on the presentation while she gathers the data.

👉 Note: While often suggests a longer action.

Future time clauses with before

We use before to show that one future action happens earlier than another.

Examples:

• Katie will finish her homework before she goes to bed.
• I’ll call you before I arrive.
• We’ll clean the house before the new tenants move in.

Future time clauses with after

We use after to say that one future action happens later than another.

Examples:

• Jill will call you after she finishes her meeting.
• We’ll go out for dinner after Peter gets home.
• She’ll apply for the job after she updates her CV.

Future time clauses with until

We use until to show that an action continues up to a specific point in the future.

Examples:

• We’ll wait here until the rain stops.
• I’ll keep practising until I become fluent.
• We’ll stay awake until the fireworks start.

Future time clauses with as soon as

We use as soon as to say that one action will happen immediately after another future action.

Examples:

• I’ll call you as soon as I arrive at the hotel.
• We’ll start the meeting as soon as everyone is here.
• He’ll let us know as soon as he gets the information.

Very important grammar rule

In future time clauses, we never use “will” in the time clause.

✔ Correct:

• I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.

✘ Incorrect:

• I’ll let you know as soon as I will find out.

👉 Even though the meaning is future, the grammar stays present.

Final tip for learners

If you’re not sure which tense to use, ask yourself:

“Is this the time clause or the main clause?”

• Time clause → present simple
• Main clause → future form

Mastering future time clauses will make your English sound more natural, more accurate, and more advanced — especially in exams.

Download Future Time Clauses – Practice Worksheet in PDF here

Learn about the first conditional here

Learn about future forms in English here

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