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B1 · English Grammar

Future Time
Clauses

I'll call you when I arrive. (not "will arrive")

when / before / after present simple
The golden rule

No "will" in the time clause

A time conjunction (after, before, when…) connects two parts of a future sentence. The time clause always uses present simple — never will.

Examples

I will call you when I arrive.

Finish your homework before you watch TV.

The structure

main clause (will/going to) + conjunction + present simple

Or: conjunction + present simple + , + main clause

The conjunctions

Five time conjunctions

when
at the moment that
I will call you when I arrive.
before
earlier than
Finish your homework before you watch TV.
after
later than
After she graduates, she is going to travel.
as soon as
immediately when
I'll text you as soon as I get the results.
until
up to the point that
He won't stop until he gets it right.
💡 Word order

Either clause can come first.

I'll text you as soon as I get the results. (no comma)

As soon as I get the results, I'll text you. (comma needed)

In real sentences

See it in action

We will leave when everyone is ready.
Before he starts the job, he will need to sign a contract.
She is going to rest until she feels better.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I will call you when I will arrive.

I will call you when I arrive.

She won't leave before she will finish.

She won't leave before she finishes.

As soon as he will get home, he'll eat.

As soon as he gets home, he'll eat.

Until she will arrive, we'll wait here.

Until she arrives, we'll wait here.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

I'll call you when I(get)home.
She won't relax until the exams(finish)
As soon as he(arrive)we'll start dinner.
Before you(leave)please lock the door.
After she(graduate)she's going to travel.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

As soon as the film will endA, we will goB forC a pizza nearD the cinema.

AAs soon as the film will end → As soon as the film ends

✓ no will after as soon as

Once the guests have leftA, I will beB too much tiredC to tidy the kitchen properlyD.

Ctoo much tired → too tired

✓ too + adjective, with no much

AfterA you finishB the report, please emailC it to me before you will leaveD the office.

Dbefore you will leave → before you leave

✓ no will after before

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

I'll call you as soon as
Before you leave the house,
We won't start the meeting until
After I finish this course,
Speak & write

Your turn

Use when / before / after / as soon as / until + present simple.

What will you do as soon as this class ends?
What do you need to do before you go to bed tonight?
What will you do when you finish your studies?
What won't you do until you've saved enough money?
Recap

Remember this

Time clause
present simple, always
Main clause
will / going to
Conjunctions
when, before, after, as soon as, until
Order
comma only if time clause is first

Never "will" in the time clause — even though it's about the future.

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