1. 3 Future Time Clauses Dreams for the Future Focus on Grammar 3
Part I, Unit 7
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Future Dreams 1
I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

3. Future Dreams 2
Before we have a baby, we’ll buy a bigger house.

4. Future Dreams 3
I won’t quit my job until I win the lottery.

5. After we retire, we’re going to travel.
Future Dreams 4
After we retire, we’re going to travel.

6. Form
A complex sentence about future time has two clauses: a main clause and a time clause.
I’m going to be an astronaut
when I grow up.
Main Clause
Time Clause

7. Main Clause The verb in the main clause is often in the future.
TIME CLAUSE
MAIN CLAUSE
after we retire.
until he wins the lottery.
before we have a baby.
travel
are going to We
his job
quit
won’t He
a house
buy
Other information
Verb
(base form)
Will or
be + going to
Subject
will

8. Time Clause The verb in the time clause is often in the present.
MAIN CLAUSE
we are going to travel.
he won’t quit his job.
we will buy a house.
retire we
After
the lottery
wins he
Until
a baby
have
Before
Other information
Verb
( present)
Subject
Time word

9. Be Careful! X Don’t use will or be going to in the future time clause.
When I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car.
When I save enough money, I’m going to buy a car. X
will

10. Use a comma only when the time clause
Clause Order 1
Time clauses can come at the beginning or end
of sentences.
I’m going to be an astronaut when I grow up.
Time Clause
Before we have a baby we’ll buy a bigger house. ,
Time Clause
Use a comma only when the time clause
begins the sentence.

11. Clause Order 2 ,
When she finishes school she’ll join the Peace Corps.
I won’t get married until I meet the right person.
As soon as they graduate they’ll look for a job.
Time Clause
(present)
Main Clause
(future)
Main Clause
(future)
Time Clause
(present) ,
Time Clause
(present)
Main Clause
(future)

12. Introduce the first event
Time Expressions 1
when
after
not until
as soon as
Introduce the first event
When they save money,
they’ll buy a new car.
past
now
future

13. Practice 1 Example: After he (graduate) ___ he (go) ___ to law school.
Put the verbs in the correct tense. Add commas where necessary.
Example: After he (graduate) ___ he (go) ___ to law school.
After he graduates, he’ll go to law school.
1. They (own) __ a house by the time they (be) ___ married.
They will own a house by the time they are married.
2. She (not/start) __ her own business until she (get) ___ more experience.
She won’t start her own business until she gets more experience.
3. As soon as he (become) __ manager he (take) __ a vacation.
As soon as he becomes manager, he’s going to take a vacation.

14. Introduce the second event
Time Expressions 2
before
until
by the time
Introduce the second event
Before he gets married,
he’ll find a good job.
past
now
future

15. Practice 2 Example: A. The children will go to college.
Combine the sentences using the time word provided. In each pair, A is the first event.
Example: A. The children will go to college.
B. She will go back to school. [as soon as]
As soon as the children go to college, she’ll go back to school.
1. A. You will finish your exams.
B. We will (not) celebrate. [until]
We won’t celebrate until you finish your exams.
2. A. My brother will buy a new suit.
B. He will go on an interview. [before]
My brother will buy a new suit before he goes on an interview.
3. A. She will pass the driving test.
B. She will borrow the family car. [after]
After she passes the driving test, she will borrow the family car.

16. References
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