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Tense Simplification

In subordinate clauses, the present tense is often used instead of the future tense if the main clause verb is future or has future meaning. This includes conditional clauses, time clauses, and most other subordinate clauses. Some exceptions are coordinate clauses and clauses of concession, reason, and result. In comparative clauses, both the present and future can be used. If the main verb is present, the future can be used in the subordinate clause. The present tense is also commonly used with a future meaning after certain expressions like "in case" and "I hope." Similar rules apply to the past and past perfect tenses if the main verb is conditional.

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224 views2 pages

Tense Simplification

In subordinate clauses, the present tense is often used instead of the future tense if the main clause verb is future or has future meaning. This includes conditional clauses, time clauses, and most other subordinate clauses. Some exceptions are coordinate clauses and clauses of concession, reason, and result. In comparative clauses, both the present and future can be used. If the main verb is present, the future can be used in the subordinate clause. The present tense is also commonly used with a future meaning after certain expressions like "in case" and "I hope." Similar rules apply to the past and past perfect tenses if the main verb is conditional.

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Karina Hałas
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Practical Grammar Year 1

Agnieszka Piasecka
TENSE SIMPLIFICATION IN VARIOUS SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

In conditional clauses and time clauses the present tense is used instead of the
future.
In fact, the rule is more general than this. THE PRESENT IS USED INSTEAD OF
THE FUTURE IN MOST SUBORDINATE CLAUSES, if the verb in the main clause is
future or has a future meaning.

The police will stop anyone who (=whoever) tries to get too close, whoever
(=no matter who) it is.
I’ll always do what I is best for everybody. NOMINAL CLAUSE
The first person who opens that door will get a shock. RELATIVE CLAUSE
I will go where you go. ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

Also after the imperative or a modal:


Let me know how your wife is.
You can drink as much as you like tomorrow, but not today.
If he calls, I’ll tell him that you will call him later. (different future times)

These rules do not apply to coordinate clauses (and, but, or), or to adverbial
clauses of concession, reason, and result.
I will not come to the party, because I will be busy tomorrow.

In comparative clauses usually both the present and the future can be used:

He will arrive at the same time as I do / I will.


She will do better on the exam than you do / you will.

If the main verb is present, the future tense can be used in the subordinate
clause:

1
Practical Grammar Year 1
Agnieszka Piasecka
I don’t know where she will be next week.

The present tense is normally used with a future meaning after in case, I hope,
I bet, it doesn’t matter, I don’t care, I don’t mind, It’s not important, etc.

I always carry an umbrella in case it rains.


I hope she comes / will come on time. (Both are possible)
I bet she gets an A.
I doesn’t matter where we go on holiday.
I don't care what they do. (*what they will do)
It's the first/second ... time I've spoken to a pop star.
It will be the first/ second ... time I've spoken to a pop star.
It was the first / second ... time I had spoken to a pop star.

Similar rules hold about the use of the past and past perfect tenses if the main
verb is conditional:

She would make a success of any career she chose.


I wouldn't do anything that went against my conscience.
He would have done anything she had asked him.
She would have made a success of any career she had chosen.

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