25. When I do/ When I’ve done When and If ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

25. When I do/ When I’ve done  When and If

A	Study this example: 'I'll phone you when I get home' is a sentence with two parts: ·         the main part: I’ll phone you and ·         the when-part: when I get home The time in the sentence is future (tomorrow), but we use a present tense (I get) in the when-part of the sentence. We do not use will in the when-part of the sentence. Some more examples: ·         We’ll go out when it stops raining. (not when it will stop) ·         When you are in London again, come and see us. (not When you will be) ·         (said to a child) What do you want to be when you grow up? (not will grow) The same thing happens after while /before /after /as soon as /until or till: ·         What are you going to do while I'm away? (not while I will be) ·         I'll probably go back home on Sunday. Before I go, I'd like to visit the museum. ·         Wait here until (or till) I come back.
B	You can also use the present perfect (have done) after when /after /until /as soon as: ·         Can I borrow that book when you've finished with it? ·         Don't say anything while Ian is here. Wait until he has gone. If you use the present perfect, one thing must be complete before the other (so the two things do not happen together): ·         When I've phoned Kate, we can have dinner. (= First I'll phone Kate and after that we can have dinner.) Do not use the present perfect if the two things happen together: ·         When I phone Kate, I'll ask her about the party. (not When I've phoned) It is often possible to use either the present simple or the present perfect: ·         I'll come as soon as I finish. or I'll come as soon as I've finished. ·         You'll feel better after you have something to eat. or You'll feel better after you've had something to eat.
C	After if, we normally use the present simple (if I do /if I see etc.) for the future: ·         It's raining hard. We'll get wet if we go out. (not if we will go) ·         I'll be angry if it happens again. (not if it will happen) ·         Hurry up! If we don't hurry, we'll be late.
D	When and if We use when for things which are sure to happen: ·         I'm going out later. (for sure)    When I go out, I'll get some bread. We use if (not when) for things that will possibly happen: I might go out later. (it's possible)          If I go out, I'll get some bread. If it is raining this evening, I won't go out. (not When it is raining) Don't worry if I'm late tonight. (not when I'm late) If they don't come soon, I'm not going to wait. (not When they don't come)

EXERCISES

25.1	Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets. All the sentences are about the future. Use will/won't or the present simple (I see /he plays /it is etc.). 1 When ____you are_____ (you /be) in London again, come and see us. 2 I want to see Sophie before ________________ (she /go) out. 3 Call me when ________________ (you /know) what time you 're going to get here. 4 I'm going out now. ________________(you /be) here when __________ (I /get) back? 5 I think everything will be fine, but if _____________ (there /be) any problems, _____________ (I /call) you, OK? 6 We must do something soon before __________(it /be) too late. 7 Anna looks very different now. When _________ (you /see) her again, ______________(you /not /recognise) her. 8 Steve has applied for the job, but he isn't really qualified for it. ______ (I /be) surprised if ___________ (he /get) it. 9 I'm going to be away for a few days. If _______ (you /need) to contact me while ___________ (I /be) away, here's my mobile number. 10 I don't want to go without you.. _________(I /wait) for you until __________ (you /be) ready.
25.2	Make one sentence from two. 1 It will stop raining soon. Then we'll go out. ________We’ll go out when it stops raining_______________ 2 I'll find somewhere to live. Then I'll give you my address. I ____________when _____________________. 3 I'll do the shopping. Then I'll come straight back home. _________________ after _________________. 4 It's going to get dark. Let's go home before that. _________________ before _________________. 5 She must apologise to me first. I won't speak to her until then. ______________ until ______________
25.3	Read the situations and complete the sentences. 1 A friend of yours is going on holiday. You want to know what she is going to do. You ask: What are you going to do when you are on holiday? 2 A friend is visiting you. She has to go soon, but you'd like to show her some pictures. You ask: Do you have time to look at some pictures before ____________________? 3 You want to sell your car. Mark is interested in buying it, but he hasn't decided yet. You ask: Can you let me know as soon as ________________________________? 4 Your friends are going to Hong Kong soon. You want to know where they're going to stay. You ask: Where are you going to stay when ______________________? 5 The traffic is very bad in your town, but they are going to build a new road. You say: I think things will be better when they _____________.
25.4	Put in when or if. 1 Don't worry ______ if ____ I'm late tonight. 2 Be careful. You'll hurt yourself ___________you fall. 3 I'm going to Rome next week. ____________ I'm there, I hope to visit a friend of mine. 4 I'm going shopping _________ you want anything, I can get it for you. 5 _________ 1 don't see you tomorrow, when will I see you again? 6 I'm going away for a few days. I'll call you _____________ I get back. 7 I hope Sarah can come to the party. It will be a shame ___________she can't come. 8 We can eat at home or,____________ you prefer, we can go to a restaurant.

ANSWER KEY

25.1 2 she goes 3 you know 4 Will you be ... I get 5 there are ... I'll call /I will call 6 it's /it is 7 you see ... you won't recognise /you will not recognise 8 I'll be / I will be ... he gets 9 you need ... I'm /I am 10 I'll wait /I will wait ... you're /you are 25.2 2 I'll give you my address when I find somewhere to live. Or ….when I've found somewhere to live. 3 I'll come straight back home after I do the shopping. Or ... after I've done the shopping. 4 Let's go home before it gets dark. 5 I won't speak to her until she apologises. Or ….. until she has apologised. 25.3 2 you go I you leave 3 you decide or you've decided /you have decided 4 you're in Hong Kong /you go to Hong Kong 5 build the new road or 've built the new road I have built  the new road 25.4 2 if 3 When 4 If 5 If 6 when 7 if 8 if