When we use time clause like : as soon as, while, after, before; we write sentences like this: as soon as i get home, i will watch TV or I will go to the doctor before i go to my class. My question is if we use past tense in time clause which tense we should use for other part of sentence? do we have any special grammar about this like the one we have for if clause ?
Thanks in advance.
Replies
there is a formula the present tense+as soon as (in generally words that you mentioned above)+simple future tense or future tense + as soon as(in generally words that you mentioned above)+present simple tense but about before it is related in perfect past tense before+past simple tense+past perfect tense but in the end repeat your sentences slowly and word by word you yourself will distinguish which time is convenient if it is not enough i know more hahah
Dear Valentina, you explained it vividly. I appreciate your nice explanation. Thanks a million.
valentina said:
Dear Setareh, people here explained quite well about The Past Perfect Tense. But I see one more point in your question. "My question is if we use past tense in time clause which tense we should use for other part of sentence? do we have any special grammar about this like the one we have for if clause ?" Your examples were on if-clause and time-clause. Right? The answer is: yes. Imagine the situation around your sentences. Bob works as a shop-assistant at day-time and attends Eglish classes in the evening. Last Tuesday he was very tired. He didn't want to cook anything, or do his homework, or tidy up his room. "As soon as I get home, I will watch TV", decided Bob. But when he came home and switched on his TV, something went wrong and the light went out, the TV didn't work. It was dark in the room and Bob fell down and hurt his leg. Poor guy. Only an hour ago Bob was sure that he would watch TV as soon as he came home. Poor Bob couldn't even imagine that the next day he would go to the doctor (instead of work) before he went to his class. So, as you can see, I placed your sentences into 'last Tuesday' and instead of your Future Simple in the main clause (I will) we have the Future-in-the Past Tense (he would) and the Present Simple in the time-clause (as soon as I get home; before I go to my class) turns into The Past Simple (as soon as he came home; before he went to his class). There was no example with if-clause, but it is just the same as with time-clause: I hoped that I would go to the beach if the weather was fine.
Hi Dear Setareh,.
I think only past will work and about the example
- Before you came, I had left home
- I had cleaned my room before going to bed
Since those sentences use 'before', there is no need for past perfect.
Before you came, I left home
I cleaned my room before going to bed
- I went home after finishing my work.
That's fine.
Actually this is my answer before read Onee's explanation. she explained fully, so I think I am going with her too, lol xD
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next