when, as soon as, until: no will after them

Examples

1. I will call you when I get home.

2. We will wait until the rain stops.

3. As soon as I have finished, I will send it.

4. Before you leave, please sign here.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: I will call you when I will get home.

  ✓Right: I will call you when I get home.

  After when the verb stays in the present, however future the meaning is.

• ✗Wrong: We will wait until the rain will stop.

  ✓Right: We will wait until the rain stops.

  until behaves exactly like when.

• ✗Wrong: When will you arrive, call me.

  ✓Right: When you arrive, call me.

  A time clause is not a question, so the word order does not turn round.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AI let you know as soon as I will hear anything.
   2. BI will let you know as soon as I hear anything.
   3. CI will let you know as soon as I am hearing anything.
   4. DI will let you know as soon as I will hear anything.
   Show answer

   Answer: B I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

   as soon as takes the present simple.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. ABefore you sign it, read the small print.
   2. BBefore you signing it, read the small print.
   3. CBefore you will sign it, read the small print.
   4. DBefore will you sign it, read the small print.
   Show answer

   Answer: A Before you sign it, read the small print.

   before takes the present, and the main clause here is an imperative.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AShe does not decide until she will see the flat.
   2. BShe will not decide until she will have seen the flat.
   3. CShe will not decide until she will see the flat.
   4. DShe will not decide until she has seen the flat.
   Show answer

   Answer: D She will not decide until she has seen the flat.

   The present perfect after until makes it clear the viewing comes first.

4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

   1. ABy the time will we arrive, the shop will be closed.
   2. BBy the time we arrive, the shop will be closed.
   3. CBy the time we will arrive, the shop is closed.
   4. DBy the time we arrive, the shop is going to closed.
   Show answer

   Answer: B By the time we arrive, the shop will be closed.

   The time clause stays present; the main clause carries the future.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   I will pay you back when I _____ my wages.

   1. Awill get
   2. Bget
   3. Cam getting to
   4. Dwill have got
   Show answer

   Answer: B I will pay you back when I get my wages.

   Present simple after when.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   We will start as soon as everyone _____ here.

   1. Ais
   2. Bis going to be
   3. Cbe
   4. Dwill be
   Show answer

   Answer: A We will start as soon as everyone is here.

   as soon as + present simple, even about the future.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   Do not switch it off until it _____ beeping.

   1. Awill stop
   2. Bis going to stop
   3. Cstops
   4. Dstopping
   Show answer

   Answer: C Do not switch it off until it stops beeping.

   until takes the present simple.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   After I _____ the form, what happens next?

   1. Ahave sent
   2. Bam sending to
   3. Cwill have sent
   4. Dwill send
   Show answer

   Answer: A After I have sent the form, what happens next?

   The present perfect shows the sending must be finished first.

9. 9Put the words in the right order.

   I will text you when the train leaves

   Show answer

   Answer: I will text you when the train leaves.

   Future in the main clause, present in the time clause.

10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    We will stay here until the bus comes

    Show answer

    Answer: We will stay here until the bus comes.

    until + the present simple.