Basics of time clauses. 45 questions on when, before, after, until, and as soon as with the correct tense.
What this test covers
- When & As Soon As
- Before & After
- Until & By the Time
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1I will call you when I ___ home.
Answer: D. get
Even though we are talking about the future, we use the simple present tense after words like 'when'. So, we say 'get' instead of 'will get'.
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Q2We can leave as soon as the rain ___.
Answer: C. stops
After words like 'as soon as', we use the simple present tense to talk about the future. We use 'stops' because the rain is a single thing (it).
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Q3When she ___ to the office, she will check her emails.
Answer: C. comes
Use the simple present tense after 'when' for future plans. We say 'comes' because we are talking about 'she'.
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Q4As soon as you ___ the results, please let me know.
Answer: D. see
We use the simple present tense after 'as soon as'. Avoid using 'will see' in this part of the sentence.
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Q5I will be happy when my brother ___ from university.
Answer: C. graduates
Use the simple present tense after 'when'. Since 'my brother' is 'he', we add an 's' to the verb: 'graduates'.
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Q6Call me as soon as you ___ at the station.
Answer: C. arrive
We use the simple present tense ('arrive') after 'as soon as' to talk about a future action.
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Q7We will go for a walk when the rain ___.
Answer: B. stops
Use the simple present tense after 'when' to talk about the future. We say 'stops' instead of 'will stop'. 'Is stopping' is also wrong here — it suggests the rain is currently in the process of stopping, not that it will have stopped by the time we go out.
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Q8As soon as the movie ___, we will go to sleep.
Answer: A. ends
Use the simple present tense after 'as soon as'. We say 'ends' instead of 'will end'.
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Q9Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. I will call when I arrive.
In sentences with 'when', the 'when' part uses the simple present ('arrive'), and the other part uses 'will' ('I will call').
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Q10Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. As soon as I finish, I will leave.
Use the simple present ('finish') after 'as soon as'. Avoid using 'will finished' or 'am finishing' in that part.
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Q11Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. Let me know when you are ready.
We use the simple present tense ('are') after 'when'. Do not use 'will be' in the 'when' part of the sentence.
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Q12Identify the error: When I will see him, I will tell him.
Answer: A. When I see him, I will tell him.
You cannot use 'will' twice in this type of sentence. The part starting with 'when' needs the simple present tense ('I see').
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Q13Identify the error: As soon as the bus will come, we will board.
Answer: D. As soon as the bus comes, we will board.
The word 'will' should not be used right after 'as soon as'. Use the simple present 'comes' instead.
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Q14Identify the error: I will start when the clock will strike twelve.
Answer: B. I will start when the clock strikes twelve.
After 'when', we use the simple present tense. So, 'the clock strikes' is correct, not 'will strike'.
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Q15Identify the error: As soon as you will find your keys, call me.
Answer: A. As soon as you find your keys, call me.
We don't use 'will' in the part of the sentence that starts with 'as soon as'. Just use 'find'.
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Q16I will wash the dishes before I ___ to bed.
Answer: B. go
Use the simple present tense after 'before' when talking about a future event.
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Q17After we ___ dinner, we will watch TV.
Answer: B. finish
After the word 'after', use the simple present tense ('finish') to talk about the future.
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Q18Please sign the document before you ___ the room.
Answer: C. leave
We use the simple present tense after 'before'. Do not use 'will leave' or the past tense 'left'.
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Q19After the sun ___, it will get dark.
Answer: B. sets
Use the simple present tense ('sets') after 'after'. We add an 's' because 'the sun' is one thing.
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Q20I will think about it before I ___ you an answer.
Answer: C. give
Use the simple present tense ('give') after 'before' in future sentences.
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Q21After the rain ___, we will play soccer.
Answer: B. stops
After the word 'after', we use the simple present tense. We say 'stops' because 'the rain' is singular.
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Q22You should read the book before you ___ the movie.
Answer: B. watch
Use the simple present tense ('watch') in the part of the sentence starting with 'before'.
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Q23I will call you after I ___ home.
Answer: B. get
Use the simple present tense ('get') after 'after' to talk about the future.
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Q24Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. I will eat after I cook.
This is the correct pattern: 'will' in the main part and the simple present ('cook') after 'after'.
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Q25Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. Wash your hands before you eat.
Use the simple present tense ('eat') after 'before'. Do not use the past tense ('ate') or 'will eat'.
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Q26Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. After you finish, call me.
After the word 'after', use the simple present tense ('finish').
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Q27Identify the error: Before you will start, read the instructions.
Answer: B. Before you start, read the instructions.
Don't use 'will' after 'before'. Use the simple present tense 'start' instead.
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Q28Identify the error: I will be home after the store will close.
Answer: B. I will be home after the store closes.
Use the simple present tense ('the store closes') after 'after'. Don't use 'will close'.
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Q29Identify the error: Before I will go, I want to say goodbye.
Answer: B. Before I go, I want to say goodbye.
Remove 'will' from the part of the sentence that starts with 'before'. Use 'I go' instead.
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Q30Identify the error: After he will arrive, we will start the meeting.
Answer: B. After he arrives, we will start the meeting.
After the word 'after', use the simple present 'arrives' instead of 'will arrive'.
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Q31I will wait here until you ___ back.
Answer: C. come
Use the simple present tense ('come') after 'until' to talk about the future.
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Q32By the time he ___, the party will be over.
Answer: C. arrives
Use the simple present tense ('arrives') after the phrase 'by the time'.
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Q33Don't leave until the doctor ___ you.
Answer: C. sees
After 'until', we use the simple present tense. We use 'sees' because 'the doctor' is one person (he or she).
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Q34By the time we ___ to the shop, it will be closed.
Answer: D. get
Use the simple present tense ('get') after 'by the time'. Do not use 'will get'.
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Q35Stay in your seat until the plane ___.
Answer: A. lands
Use the simple present tense ('lands') after 'until'.
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Q36By the time you ___ this letter, I will be in Paris.
Answer: B. receive
Use the simple present tense ('receive') after 'by the time'.
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Q37I will keep studying until I ___ the exam.
Answer: C. pass
After 'until', we use the simple present tense. Avoid using 'will pass' in that part.
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Q38By the time the train ___, we will be ready.
Answer: B. leaves
Use the simple present tense ('leaves') after 'by the time'.
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Q39Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. I will wait until you return.
After 'until', use the simple present tense ('return'). Don't use 'will return'.
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Q40Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. By the time we arrive, they will be gone.
Use the simple present tense ('arrive') after 'by the time'.
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Q41Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. Stay until the meeting ends.
After 'until', use the simple present tense. 'The meeting ends' is correct.
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Q42Identify the error: I won't leave until you will say sorry.
Answer: B. I won't leave until you say sorry.
Change 'you will say' to the simple present 'you say' because it follows the word 'until'.
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Q43Identify the error: By the time she will call, I will be asleep.
Answer: A. By the time she calls, I will be asleep.
Use the simple present 'she calls' after 'by the time'. We don't use 'will' in that specific part of the sentence.
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Q44Identify the error: Don't move until I will tell you.
Answer: B. Don't move until I tell you.
After 'until', use the simple present tense. So, 'I tell' is correct, not 'I will tell'.
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Q45Identify the error: By the time the sun will set, we will be home.
Answer: D. By the time the sun sets, we will be home.
We use the simple present 'the sun sets' after the phrase 'by the time' to talk about the future.
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