Do We Use Will After When?
In the first conditional there is no will after if: If it rains, we'll stay home. The same rule works for when, as soon as, until, before and after.
A clause is a part of a sentence with its own subject and verb. A time clause starts with one of these words.
WHENAt the time that
I'll call you when I get home.
AS SOON ASRight at the moment that
I'll text you as soon as I land.
UNTILUp to the time that
Don't open the door until the bus stops.
In a time clause about the future, use the present simple, not will.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I'll make dinner when Dad blank home."
- Question 2
"Don't start the test until the teacher blank you."
The forms
TIME CLAUSE FIRST
When / After / …S + present simple,S + will / be going to + V
After I graduate, I'm going to look for a job in Đà Nẵng.
Put a comma after the time clause.
TIME CLAUSE SECOND
S + will + Vwhen / before / …S + present simple
We'll have lunch before we leave.
No comma.
AN INSTRUCTION
V / Don't + Vwhen / until / …S + present simple
Lock the door before you go to bed.
DONE FIRST
after / whenS + have / has + past participle,S + will + V
When I've finished my homework, I'll go out.
The present perfect stresses that one thing ends first.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"You can watch TV after you blank your homework."
When to use them
Rules for children
Don't eat the cake before Grandma arrives.
Before a birthday party.
Answering later
I'll tell you after I talk to my wife.
A seller asks if you want to buy.
Plans that depend on the weather
When the rain stops, we'll go for a walk.
The family is waiting at home.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:When I will finish university, I will work abroad.
Correct:When I finish university, I'll work abroad.
Will goes in the other clause, not the when clause.
Incorrect:Call me as soon as you will arrive.
Correct:Call me as soon as you arrive.
As soon as works like when: no will.
Incorrect:I'll leave when my brother come back.
Correct:I'll leave when my brother comes back.
It is still the present simple. My brother = he: comes.
Incorrect:I'll call you after I finished work.
Correct:I'll call you after I finish work.
Work is not over yet. Use finish or I've finished.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
I'll buy a car when I have enough money.
- A. have — Correct
- B. will have
- C. had
Answer: A. have
Will belongs in the other clause: I'll buy.
Choose the correct word:
Please don't leave until I come back.
- A. until — Correct
- B. as soon as
- C. when
Answer: A. until
Stay here, and keep staying, up to the moment I return.
Choose the correct form:
As soon as the shop opens, I'll buy some bread.
- A. opens — Correct
- B. will open
- C. open
Answer: A. opens
No will after as soon as. The shop = it: opens.
Choose the correct sentence:
After I've finished this email, I'll make some tea.
- A. After I've finished this email, I'll make some tea. — Correct
- B. After I'll finish this email, I'll make some tea.
- C. After I finished this email, I'll make some tea.
Answer: A. After I've finished this email, I'll make some tea.
B has will. C uses the past for something not done yet.
Choose the correct form:
After the baby falls asleep, we're going to watch a film.
- A. falls — Correct
- B. will fall
- C. is going to fall
Answer: A. falls
The after clause takes neither will nor going to.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions