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Tense simplification in subordinate clauses

Reasons for tense simplification​

If the main verb of a sentence makes it clear what kind of time the speaker is talking about, it is not always necessary for the same time to be indicated again in subordinate clauses. Compare:

  • This discovery means that we will spend less on food.
    This discovery will mean that we spend less on food.
  • It is unlikely that he will win.
    I will pray that he wins.

Verbs in subordinate clauses are often simpler in form than verbs in main clauses – for example present instead of future, simple past instead of would + infinitive, simple past instead of past perfect.

  • You’ll find Coca-Cola wherever you go. (not … wherever you will go.)
  • He would never do anything that went against his conscience. (More natural than … that would go against his conscience.)
  • I hadn’t understood what she said. (More natural than … what she had said.)

Present instead of future: I’ll write when I have time.​

Present tenses are often used instead of will + infinitive to refer to the future in subordinate clauses. This happens not only after conjunctions of time like when, until, after, before, as soon as, but in most other subordinate clauses – for instance after if, whether and on condition that, after question words and relative pronouns, and in indirect speech.

  • I’ll write to her when I have time. (not … when I will have time.)
  • I’ll think of you when I’m lying on the beach. (not … when I will be lying …)
  • Will you stay here until the plane takes off?
  • It will be interesting to see whether he recognises you.
  • I’ll have a good time whether I win or lose.
  • I’ll go where you go.
  • I’ll lend it to you on condition that you bring it back tomorrow.
  • He says he’ll give five pounds to anybody who finds his pen.
  • If she asks what I’m doingin her house, I’ll say I’m checking the gas.

This can happen when the main verb is not future in form, but it refers to the future.

  • Phone me when you arrive.
  • Make sure you come back soon.
  • You can tell who you like next week, but not until then.

In comparisons with as and than, present and future verbs are both possible.

  • She’ll be on the same train as we are/will tomorrow.
  • We’ll get there sooner than you do/will.

Present perfect: … when I’ve finished​

The present perfect is used instead of the future perfect, to express the idea of completion.

  • I’ll phone you when I’ve finished. (not … when I will have finished.)
  • At the end of the year there will be an exam on everything you’ve studied. (not … everything you will have studied.)

Future in subordinate clauses: … where she will be​

A future verb is necessary for future reference in a subordinate clause if the main verb does not refer to the future (or to the same time in the future).

  • I don’t know where she will be tomorrow.
  • I’m sure I won’t understand a word of the lecture.
  • I’ll hide it somewhere where he’ll never find it. (two different future times)
  • If she rings, I’ll tell her that I’ll ring back later. (two different future times)
note

For future verbs in if-clauses (e.g. I’ll give you £100 if it will help you to get home), (see here).

in case, I hope, I bet, it doesn’t matter, etc​

A present tense is normally used with a future meaning after in case even if the main verb is present or past. For details, (see here).

  • I’ve got my tennis things in case we have time for a game tomorrow.

In an informal style, present verbs are often used with future meanings after I hope (see here) and I bet (see here).

  • I hope you sleep well.
  • I bet he gets married before the end of the year.

Present tenses are also used with future reference after it doesn’t matter, I don’t care, I don’t mind, it’s not important and similar expressions.

  • It doesn’t matter where we go this summer.
  • I don’t care what we have for dinner if I don’t have to cook it.

Past instead of would …​

Would, like will, is avoided in subordinate clauses; instead, we generally use past verbs. This happens in if-clauses (see here), and also after most other conjunctions.

  • If I had lots of money, I would give some to anybody who asked for it. (not If I would have … who would ask for it.)
  • Would you follow me wherever I went? (not … wherever I would go?)
  • In a perfect world, you would be able to say exactly what you thought. (not … what you would think.)
  • I would always try to help anybody who was in trouble, whether I knew them or not.
note

For past tenses after It’s time, (see here); after I’d rather, (see here); after I wish, (see here).

Simplification of perfect and progressive verbs​

Simple past verb forms are used quite often in subordinate clauses instead of present perfect and past perfect tenses, if the meaning is clear.

  • It’s been a good time while it(’s) lasted.
  • I’ve usually liked the people I(’ve) worked with.
  • For thirty years, he had done no more than he (had) needed to.
  • He probably crashed because he had gone to sleep while he was driving. (More natural than … while he had been driving.)

Progressives are often replaced by simple forms in subordinate clauses.

  • He’s working. But at the same time as he works, he’s exercising. (or … at the same time as he’s working …)

Exceptions​

These rules do not usually apply to clauses beginning because, although, since or as (meaning ‘because’), or to non-identifying relative clauses (see here).

  • I won’t see you next week because I’ll be in Canada.
  • I’ll come to the opera with you, although I probably won’t enjoy it.
  • You’ll work with Mr Harris, who will explain everything to you.
note

For tenses in indirect speech, (see here).