Future Time Clauses

Dreams for the Future

4

Focus on Grammar 3Part I, Unit 7By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Future Dreams 1

I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.I will be an astronaut when I grow up.

Future Dreams 2

Before we have a baby, we’ll buy a bigger house.

Before we have a baby, we are going to buy a bigger house.

Future Dreams 3

I won’t quit my job until I win the lottery.I am not going to quit my job until I win the lottery.

Future Dreams 4

After we retire, we’re going to travel.After we retire, we will travel.

Form

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 Clause Time Clause

Form

I will be an astronaut when I grow up.

A complex sentence about future time has two clauses: a main clause and a time clause.

Main Clause Time Clause

Main Clause

will

TIME CLAUSE

MAIN CLAUSE

after we retire.

until he wins the lottery.

before we have a baby.

travelare going toWe

his jobquit won’tHe

a housebuyWe

Other information

Verb (base form)

Will or be + going toSubject

The verb in the main clause is in future. The verb in the time clause is often in present.

Time Clause

Time Clause

TIME CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

, we are going to travel.

, he won’t quit his job.

,we will buy a house.

retireweAfter

the lotterywins heUntil

a babyhaveweBefore

Other information

Verb( present)SubjectTime

word

The verb in the time clause is often in the present. The verb in the main clause is in future.

Main Clause

Be Careful!

Don’t use will or be going to in the future time clause.

When I will save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.XWhen I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.

Before we have a baby we’ll buy a bigger house.,

Clause Order 1

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 Clause

Time Clause

,

,

Clause Order 2

Time Clause(present)

Time Clause(present)

Time Clause(present)

Main Clause(future)

Main Clause(future)

Main Clause(future)

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.

Time Expressions 1

Introduce the first event

When they save money,

past

now

future

they’ll buy a new car.

whenafter

not . . . untilas soon as

Practice 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) ___ moreexperience.

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.

Time Expressions 2

Introduce the second event

Before he gets married,

past

now

future

he’ll find a good job.

beforeuntil

by the time

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

References

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