Posts Tagged ‘tense’

Tenses in subordinate clauses

July 3rd, 2011 in Improve English

In subordinate clauses, present tenses are often used instead of will + infinitive to refer to the future. This usually happens in most subordinate clauses.

I will call you when dinner is ready. (NOT I will call you when dinner will be ready.)
I will think of you when I am lying on the beach tomorrow. (NOT I will think of you when I will be lying on the beach tomorrow.)
Will you wait until I get ready? (NOT Will you wait until I will get ready?)
It will be interesting to see whether he manages to solve the problem. (NOT It will be interesting to see whether he will manage to solve the problem.)

This can happen even if the verb in the main clause does not have a future form, provided it refers to the future.

Phone me when you arrive. (Here the main verb is in the present tense, but the reference is to the future.)
Try to have a good time whether you win or lose.

Present perfect tenses can be used in subordinate clauses to express the idea of completion.

Give me a call when you have finished.

In comparisons with as and than, both present and future verbs are possible.

We will get there sooner than you do. OR We will get there sooner than you will do.