Lesson 2.5 · Talking about the future

Future with ‘when’, ‘until’ and ‘as long as’

After when, as soon as, before, after, until, in case and as long as, English talks about the future with the present simple – not ‘will’. This page shows the rule, the one common exception, and how the present perfect fits in.

From How to Use English Verb Tenses in Business by David Cox · 200+ diagrams for professional English

Using the present simple for the future with ‘when’

In nearly all future sentences, we use the present simple after when, if, until, before, after, in case, as soon as and as long as.

I am going to explain everything

‘going to’ to talk about a plan which is not yet fixed

when you get here.

Present simple to talk about a future event after ‘when’

Other examples: I’ll let you know when I’m ready. When it gets cold we’ll go inside. I’m going there as soon as it opens.

Using the present simple after ‘before’ and ‘until’

The same rule applies after ‘before’ and ‘until’, whatever future form the main clause uses.

I am meeting a colleague

Present continuous to talk about a fixed future plan

before we go to the airport.

Present simple to talk about a future event after ‘before’

We’ll continue the discussion

‘will’ to make a spontaneous plan for the immediate future

until we find a solution.

Present simple to talk about a future event after ‘until’

Future sentences with ‘I don’t know…’ / ‘Do you know…?’

The only time we use ‘will’ in sentences with when / if / in case is when the sentence begins with a phrase like ‘I don’t know if…’, ‘Do you know when…?’ or ‘Can you tell me when…?’.

I don’t know

Present simple for a temporary situation, because we don’t use the present continuous with ‘know’

if our problems will ever end.

‘will’ to make a future prediction

More examples with ‘Do you know?’ / ‘I don’t know’

After these phrases, the second part of the sentence uses whichever future form fits its meaning.

I don’t know

Present simple for a temporary situation, because we don’t use the present continuous with ‘know’

when they are going to arrive.

‘going to’ to talk about a plan which is not yet fixed

Do you know

Present simple for a temporary situation, because we don’t use the present continuous with ‘know’

when the presentation starts?

Present simple to talk about an official, timetabled event

Using the present perfect after ‘when’ / ‘until’ / ‘if’ / ‘in case’

When talking about the future, we can also use the present perfect after when / until / in case / if. This shows that one action will be complete before another action.

I will call you

‘will’ to make a future promise / offer decided just now

when I have finished.

Present perfect after ‘when’, to show that this future action will be finished first

Other examples: We won’t begin until everyone has joined the call. I’ll speak to you after the meeting has finished. I will read through the contract again just in case I have missed something.

Present perfect with ‘as soon as’

The finished action comes first, and the next action starts straight after it.

As soon as everyone has joined the call,

Present perfect after ‘as soon as’, to show that this future action will be finished first

we’ll begin the meeting.

‘will’ to make a spontaneous future plan decided just now

Other examples: I’ll give you a call if I have forgotten anything. When the show has started, people won’t be allowed into the theatre.

What about ‘if’?

‘If’ follows the same rule: I’ll call you if I hear anything. But sentences with ‘if’ have their own patterns, which we cover in the conditionals lessons.

Teachers: use these diagrams

You are welcome to use these diagrams in your lessons and materials. Please credit Fluency Space with a link to this page.

Diagram: Fluency Space – fluencyspace.com/grammar/verb-tenses/future-with-when/

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