3

Future Time Clauses

Dreams for the Future

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

Future Dreams 1

Im going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

Future Dreams 2

Before we have a baby, well buy a bigger house.

Future Dreams 3

I wont quit my job until I win the lottery.

Future Dreams 4

After we retire, were going to travel.

Form
A complex sentence about future time has two clauses: a main clause and a time clause.
Im going to be an astronaut when I grow up.
Main Clause Time Clause

Main Clause
The verb in the main clause is often in the future.
MAIN CLAUSE
Will or be + going to will wont are going to

TIME CLAUSE
Other information a house his job before we have a baby.

Subject

Verb (base form)

buy quit travel

We He We

until he wins the lottery.

after we retire.

Time Clause
The verb in the time clause is often in the present.
TIME CLAUSE Time word Before Until After Subject we he we Verb ( present) have wins retire Other information a baby the lottery we will buy a house. he wont quit his job. we are going to travel. MAIN CLAUSE

Be Careful!
Dont use will or be going to in the future time clause.

When I will save enough money, Im going buy a car. When I save enough money, Im going to to buy a car.

Clause Order 1
Time clauses can come at the beginning or end of sentences. Im going to be an astronaut when I grow up.
Time Clause

Before we have a baby, well buy a bigger house.

Time Clause

Use a comma only when the time clause begins the sentence.

Clause Order 2
When she finishes school, shell join the Peace Corps.
Time Clause (present)
Main Clause (future)

I wont get married until I meet the right person.

Main Clause (future)

Time Clause (present)

As soon as they graduate, theyll look for a job.

Time Clause (present) Main Clause (future)

Time Expressions 1
when after not . . . until as soon as

Introduce the first event

When they save money, theyll buy a new car.

now past future

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, hell go to law school. 1. They (own) __ a house by the time they (be) ___ married. They will own a house by the time they are married. 2. She (not/start) __ her own business until she (get) ___ more experience. She wont start her own business until she gets more experience. 3. As soon as he (become) __ manager he (take) __ a vacation. As soon as he becomes manager, hes going to take a vacation.

Time Expressions 2
before until by the time

Introduce the second event

Before he gets married, hell find a good job.

now past future

Practice 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. 1. A. You will finish your exams. B. We will (not) celebrate.
We wont celebrate until you finish your exams.

[as soon as]

As soon as the children go to college, shell go back to school.

[until]

2.

A. My brother will buy a new suit. B. He will go on an interview. A. She will pass the driving test. B. She will borrow the family car.

[before]

My brother will buy a new suit before he goes on an interview.

3.

[after]

After she passes the driving test, she will borrow the family car.

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