English Grammar

Tenses in subordinate clauses

In subordinate clauses we often use present tenses to refer to the future. This usually happens after conjunctions like when, until, after, before, as soon as, if and whether.

• I will call you when dinner is ready. (NOT I will call you when dinner will be ready.)
• Will you stay here until I come back? (NOT Will you stay here until I will come back?)
• I will write to you if I have time. (NOT I will write to you if I will have time.)
• It will be interesting to see whether he keeps his word. (NOT It will be interesting to see whether he will keep his word.)

Present tenses are also used after question words and relative pronouns to refer to the future.

• I will go where you go. (NOT I will go where you will go.)
• He says that he will give 20 dollars to anyone who finds his phone. (NOT He says that he will give 20 dollars to anyone who will find his phone.)

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.

Future in subordinate clauses

If the main verb does not refer to the future, a future verb is necessary for future reference in a subordinate clause.

• I don’t know what I will do.
• I don’t know where I will be tomorrow.

After expressions like in case, I hope, I bet and it doesn’t matter a present tense is normally used with a future meaning.

• I have brought my umbrella in case it rains.
• I hope she wins.
• I doesn’t matter what he does with his money.

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