1. Future Time Clauses
NEF Unit 4A

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:
past
Xow
n
1
X
fin
ish m
y
hom
ewo
rk
2
Xt
go o
future
b ed

4. past
Xow
n
1
X
fin
ish m
y
hom
ewo
rk
2
Xt
go o
future
b ed
• 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. past
Xow
n
1
X
fin
ish m
y
hom
ewo
rk
2
Xt
go o
future
be d
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.
past
Xow
n
1
do my homework
(9:00-10:59)
• Until I go to bed, I’ll do homework.
2
future
Xo t
g o
bed (
11:0
0)

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.
past
Xow
n
I do my homework
future
My roommate sleeps
• While my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.
• When my roommate sleeps, I’ll be doing my homework.

11. past
Xow
n
I do my homework
future
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.