Adverb Clauses of Time

B1 · IntermediateNoun & Adverb Clauses

I'll call you when I arrive. Not 'when I will arrive' — present tense, even though it's about the future.

What you'll learn

  • An adverb clause of time is introduced by words like when, while, before, after, as soon as, until, once, by the time
  • Even when the whole sentence is about the future, the time clause itself uses the present tense
  • The main clause can use will, going to, or another future form — only the time clause avoids 'will'
  • For the meanings of when/while/before/after/as soon as/until themselves, see Subordinating Conjunctions

No future tense inside a time clause

This is one of the most important rules about time clauses: even when you're talking about the future, the clause that starts with when, as soon as, before, after, until, or once uses the present tense — never 'will.' The future meaning is still clear from context and from the main clause.

"I'll call you when I arrive."
"I'll call you when I will arrive. (incorrect)"

The main clause can still be future

Only the time clause itself avoids 'will.' The main clause is completely free to use will, be going to, or any other future form, since it isn't the time clause.

"We'll start as soon as everyone is ready."
"By the time you arrive, we'll have finished dinner."

Common time words this rule applies to

This rule applies to every clause introduced by a time word — when, while, before, after, as soon as, until, once, and by the time.

"Once you finish, let me know."
"I won't relax until this project is finished."

Real English

"I'll email you as soon as I land."
"We won't leave until everyone arrives."
"By the time she gets here, dinner will be ready."
"Once the meeting ends, we'll grab lunch."

Watch out

✗I'll call you when I will arrive.
✓I'll call you when I arrive.

Never use 'will' inside a time clause, even though the meaning is future — use the present tense instead.

✗We'll start as soon as everyone will be ready.
✓We'll start as soon as everyone is ready.

'As soon as' introduces a time clause, so it takes the present tense, not 'will,' even with future meaning.

✗I won't relax until this project will be finished.
✓I won't relax until this project is finished.

'Until' introduces a time clause — use the present tense, never 'will,' inside it.

Real life — Coordinating a plan

"What time should I come over?"

"Whenever works — just text me when you leave the house."

"Will do. And once I arrive, should I just come straight in?"

"Yep, the door will be unlocked by the time you get here."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence about two ongoing simultaneous actions.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence with 'by the time.'

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct tense

Which tense do you use in the time clause to talk about future time?

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence with 'once.'

Exercise 9 · Correct the tense

Correct the tense: 'I'll let you know when I will hear back.'

Exercise 10 · Correct the tense

Correct the tense: 'We'll leave as soon as the rain will stop.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

I'll call you when I arrive.
I'll call you when I will arrive.
We'll start as soon as everyone is ready.
We'll start as soon as everyone will be ready.

0 / 4 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • An adverb clause of time is introduced by when, while, before, after, as soon as, until, once, by the time.
  • Even with future meaning, the time clause uses the present tense, never 'will.'
  • The main clause can still use will or another future form.
  • For what these time words mean individually, see Subordinating Conjunctions.

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