When I Do / When I've Done | Unit 25 | PrepMyEnglish
PrepMyEnglish
Accueil› English Grammar› Unit 25
Unit 25 · Grammar Lesson
Unité 25 · Leçon de Grammaire

When I Do and When I've Done — If and When
Future Time Clauses — Complete Guide When I Do et When I've Done — If et When
Propositions Temporelles au Futur — Guide Complet

Master why we use the present simple (not will) after time conjunctions, how the present perfect shows sequence, and the key difference between if and when

Maîtrisez pourquoi on utilise le présent simple (pas will) après les conjonctions de temps, comment le present perfect indique la séquence, et la différence clé entre if et when

B1 – B2 3 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 3 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

When we talk about future events depending on time, we do not use will after conjunctions like when, before, after, while, until, as soon as. We use the present simple or present perfect. We choose between if and when depending on whether an event is possible or certain.

Quand on parle d'événements futurs, on n'utilise pas will après des conjonctions comme when, before, after, while, until, as soon as. On utilise le présent simple ou le present perfect. On choisit entre if et when selon qu'un événement est possible ou certain.

A

Present Simple (not will) After Time Conjunctions

Présent Simple (pas will) Après les Conjonctions de Temps

After when, while, before, after, as soon as, until/till we use the present simple — not will — even when talking about the future.

Après when, while, before, after, as soon as, until/till on utilise le présent simple — pas will — même pour le futur.

when / before / after / while / until / as soon as + present simple (NOT will)
I'll call you when I arrive.  (not when I will arrive)
We'll go out when it stops raining.  (not when it will stop)
Wait here until I come back.  (not until I will come back)
B

Present Perfect After Time Conjunctions — Showing Sequence

Present Perfect Après les Conjonctions — Indiquer la Séquence

Use the present perfect (have done) after when / after / until / as soon as to show one action is complete before the other begins.

Utilisez le present perfect après when / after / until / as soon as pour montrer qu'une action est terminée avant que l'autre commence.

Simultaneous → present simple

Simultané → présent simple

both happen together
les deux se passent ensemble
When I phone Kate, I'll ask about the party.
I'll come as soon as I finish.

Sequence → present perfect

Séquence → present perfect

first A is complete, then B
d'abord A est terminé, puis B
When I've phoned Kate, we can go out.
I'll come as soon as I've finished.
C

If vs When — Possible vs Certain

If vs When — Possible vs Certain

Use if for things that will possibly happen. Use when for things certain to happen. Both require present simple — not will.

Utilisez if pour ce qui se produira peut-être. Utilisez when pour ce qui est certain. Les deux exigent le présent simple — pas will.

I might go out later. If I go out, I'll get some bread. (possible)
I'm going out later. When I go out, I'll get some bread. (certain)
Don't worry if I'm late tonight. (might not happen)
⚠️
✗ If it will rain… → ✓ If it rains…  ·  ✗ When I will be ready… → ✓ When I am ready… ✗ If it will rain… → ✓ If it rains…  ·  ✗ When I will be ready… → ✓ When I am ready…

Exercises — Answers Included

Exercices — Corrigé Inclus

Check your answers instantly

Vérifiez vos réponses instantanément

EX 1

Which is correct? Click the right option.

Laquelle est correcte ? Cliquez sur la bonne option.

1.
Don't forget to lock the door  
2.
As soon as we get more information,    you know.
3.
I want to get to the cinema before the film  .
4.
Wait until it    to green.
5.
Sarah will be here soon.    some coffee when she comes.
6.
I wonder where I'll be when  .
7.
  for you until you're ready, but don't be long.
8.
He wants to be a TV presenter when  .
9.
We could meet for coffee if    free.
10.
If the weather    nice tomorrow, we're going to the beach.
11.
Vicky    very disappointed if she doesn't get a place at university.
12.
You'll feel better after    something to eat.
Answers: 1. when you go out  ·  2. we'll let  ·  3. starts  ·  4. changes  ·  5. I'll make  ·  6. I'm 40  ·  7. I'll wait  ·  8. he grows up  ·  9. you're  ·  10. is  ·  11. is  ·  12. you've had
EX 2

Complete using the verbs in brackets. Use will/won't or present simple.

Complétez avec les verbes entre parenthèses. Utilisez will/won't ou présent simple.

1.
When you are (you/be) here again, you must come and see us. ✓
2.
I want to see Sophie before away next week.
3.
Call me when what time you'll get here.
4.
for you until ready.
5.
here when back?
6.
If any problems, you know.
7.
her when her again.
8.
If to contact me while away, you can call me.
Answers: 2. she goes  ·  3. you know  ·  4. I'll wait / you're  ·  5. Will you still be / I get  ·  6. there are / I'll let  ·  7. You won't recognise / you see  ·  8. you need / I'm
EX 3

Read the situations and complete the sentences.

Lisez les situations et complétez les phrases.

1.
You and a friend want to go out but it's raining.
You say: Let's wait until it stops raining. ✓
2.
It's going to get dark soon and you want to leave before that.
You say: I'd better go now before .
3.
A friend might buy your car. You want to know as soon as possible.
You say: Let me know as soon as .
4.
Your friends are going to Hong Kong. You want to know where they'll stay.
You ask: Where are you going to stay when ?
5.
The traffic is bad but they'll build a new road.
You say: Things will be better when .
6.
Someone has been very rude to you. You want an apology.
You say: I won't speak to her until .
Answers: 2. it gets dark  ·  3. you decide  ·  4. you get there  ·  5. they build the new road  ·  6. she apologises
EX 4

Put in when or if.

Mettez when ou if.

1.
Don't worry if I'm late tonight. ✓
2.
Be careful. You'll hurt yourself you fall.
3.
I'm going shopping. you want anything, I can get it.
4.
I'm going away for a few days. I'll call you I get back.
5.
I don't see you tomorrow, when will I see you again?
6.
I'm watching TV. it finishes, I'm going to bed.
7.
We can eat here or, you prefer, we can go to a restaurant.
8.
It will be a shame Sarah can't come to the party.
Answers: 2. if  ·  3. If  ·  4. when  ·  5. If  ·  6. When  ·  7. if  ·  8. if

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions Fréquentes

Why can't I use "will" after "when"?Pourquoi ne peut-on pas utiliser "will" après "when" ?

After time conjunctions (when, before, after, while, until, as soon as), English grammar requires the present simple — even though the meaning is future: I'll call you when I arrive.

Après les conjonctions de temps, la grammaire anglaise exige le présent simple — même si le sens est futur : I'll call you when I arrive.

When do I use the present perfect after "when"?Quand utilise-t-on le present perfect après "when" ?

Use the present perfect when the first action must be fully complete before the second starts: When I've finished my homework, I'll watch TV (finish first, then watch).

Utilisez le present perfect quand la première action doit être entièrement terminée avant la seconde : When I've finished my homework, I'll watch TV.

What is the difference between "if" and "when"?Quelle est la différence entre "if" et "when" ?

If = possible (may or may not happen): If it rains, I'll stay in. When = certain (will definitely happen): When I get home, I'll make dinner.

If = possible : If it rains, I'll stay in. When = certain : When I get home, I'll make dinner.

Does "as soon as" follow the same rule?"As soon as" suit-il la même règle ?

Yes — use present simple or present perfect, not will: I'll call you as soon as I know. or as soon as I find out.

Oui — présent simple ou present perfect, pas will : I'll call you as soon as I know.

🎯 Unit 25 · MCQ QuizUnité 25 · Quiz QCM

When I Do / If and When — Quiz

When I Do / If et When — Quiz

200-question bank · 10–200 questions per session · instant feedback

Banque de 200 questions · 10 à 200 questions par session · correction immédiate

200 Questions3 TopicsB1 · B2PDF ✓

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Filter by topicFiltrer par thème
All topics Present Simple after conjunctions Present Perfect / Sequence If vs When

When I Do / If and When Quiz

Quiz — When I Do / If et When

20 questions

—
out ofsur 20 questionsquestions
—
Correct
Correctes
—
Wrong
Incorrectes
—
Skipped
Non répondues

Ready to take your English to the next level?

Prêt à passer votre anglais au niveau supérieur ?

Discover our expert-led courses and certifications — funded options available.

Découvrez nos cours et certifications avec des formateurs experts — options de financement disponibles.

🎓

English Courses with CPF

Formations d'Anglais avec CPF

Use your Compte Personnel de Formation to fund your English training. Tailored, certified, and 100% financed.

Utilisez votre Compte Personnel de Formation pour financer votre apprentissage. Sur-mesure, certifié, 100 % financé.

Find out more En savoir plus
📚

All Our English Courses

Tous Nos Cours d'Anglais

Explore our complete catalogue — from general English to business English, all levels welcome.

Explorez notre catalogue complet — anglais général, anglais professionnel, tous niveaux bienvenus.

Find out more En savoir plus
🏆

Exam Preparation Courses

Préparation aux Examens d'Anglais

Get ready for TOEIC, Linguaskill, Cambridge and more — structured prep with official certifications.

Préparez-vous au TOEIC, Linguaskill, Cambridge et plus — préparation structurée avec certifications officielles.

Find out more En savoir plus

PrepMyEnglish™

Learn and speak better English

Apprenez et parlez un meilleur anglais

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *