Present tenses in future time clauses
present tense after future time conjunctions; when versus if; as soon as for immediate sequence; before and after for action order; clause order and commas.
1. We will tidy the room when the meeting _____.
Multiple Choice20sAends✓Bwill endCendingDwould end💡 Use present simple after when even though the clause refers to the future.
2. After as soon as, we normally use a present tense to refer to the future.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Future time clauses with as soon as use present tense, while the main clause can use will.
3. As soon as the replacement parts _____, the engineer will begin the repair. (arrive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedarrive💡 The time clause after as soon as takes present simple.
4. The train is on the timetable for 18.40. _____ it arrives, we will board immediately.
Multiple Choice20sAWhen✓BIfCUnlessDWould💡 When is used for a future event the speaker expects to happen.
5. Match each future-time conjunction to its specific meaning.
Matching30sas soon as→the next action follows immediatelyif→the event may or may not happenafter→its clause names the action that happens firstbefore→its clause names the action that happens second💡 These conjunctions show certainty or the order and speed of future events.
6. When the doctor receives the results, she _____ you straight away. (call)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwill call💡 The main clause uses will + bare infinitive; only the when-clause uses present tense.
7. Put the chunks in order to describe a check before departure.
Put in Order30s- 1.Before
- 2.we leave,
- 3.we'll check
- 4.every window
- 5.carefully.
💡 The before-clause comes first with present simple and is followed by a comma.
8. Which future-time sentence is correct?
Multiple Choice20sAI'll make tea after I finish this email.✓BI'll make tea after I will finish this email.CI'll make tea after I finished will this email.DI make will tea after I finish this email.💡 After takes present simple in its future time clause, while the main clause uses will.
9. Use when for an uncertain future event and if for an event that is certain.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 If marks uncertainty; when treats the future event as certain or expected.
10. We will leave the stadium when the match _____. (finish)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedfinishes💡 The singular subject match takes the present-simple form finishes after when.
11. Choose the sentence that avoids will inside the future time clause.
Multiple Choice20sAAs soon as Jo gets here, we'll start.✓BAs soon as Jo will get here, we'll start.CAs soon as Jo gets here, we start will.DAs soon as Jo will gets here, we'll start.💡 Use present simple after as soon as and will in the main clause.
12. Match each time-clause beginning to the only logical main-clause ending.
Matching30sWhen the fire alarm rings,→we'll leave by the nearest exit.As soon as the train arrives,→the platform doors will open.Before the sun sets,→the hikers will return to camp.After we unpack,→we'll explore the neighbourhood.💡 The pairings express expected events and clear action sequences.
13. The event _____ after the safety officer arrives. (start)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwill start💡 The main clause uses will + bare infinitive, while the after-clause uses present simple.
14. As soon as emphasizes that one future action follows another immediately.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 As soon as is stronger than when in showing immediate sequence.
15. Which sentence shows that sending the email happens before switching off the computer?
Multiple Choice20sAAfter I send the email, I'll switch off the computer.✓BAfter I'll send the email, I switch off the computer.CBefore I send the email, I'll switch off the computer.DIf I send the email, I switched off the computer.💡 The action in an after-clause happens first; the following will-clause happens next.
16. Reorder the chunks to put the main clause before a when-clause.
Put in Order30s- 1.We'll
- 2.have lunch
- 3.when
- 4.the guests
- 5.arrive.
💡 A final when-clause takes present simple and does not need a preceding comma.
17. Please lock the back door before you _____. (leave)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedleave💡 Use present simple after before for a future action.
18. The weather forecast is uncertain. _____ it snows tonight, the school may close.
Multiple Choice20sAIf✓BWhenCAfterDAs soon as💡 If is used because snow is possible but not certain.
19. A comma is required before every future time clause, including one that comes second.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Comma use depends on clause order.
20. Before the builders arrive, we _____ all the furniture into the next room. (have to/move)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwill have to move💡 The before-clause uses present simple and the main future clause uses will.