Unit-009

Unit 9 When and If sentences (When I do ... / If I do ...)

a. Study this example:

A: What time will yo call me tonight?

B: I'll call you when I get home from work.

"I'll call you when I get home from work" is a sentense with two parts: "I'll call you" (the main part) and "when I get home from work" (the when part). The sentence is future (tonight), but you cannot use will or going to in the when part of the sentence. Instead we use a present tense, usually simple present (I do).

• I can't talk to you now. I'll talk to you later when I have more time. (not when I'll have)
  
• When the rain stops, we'll go out. (not when the rain will stop)

The same thing happens after:

while / after / before / until/till / as soon as

• Can you take care of the children while I am out? (not will be)
  
• Before you leave, you must visit the museum. (not will leave)
  
• Wait here until I come back. (not will come)
  

b. You can also the present perfect (I have done) after when/after/until, etc., to show that the first action will be finished before the sencnd:

• After I've read this book, you can have it.
  
• Don't say sanything while Tom is here. Wait until he has gone.
  

It is often possible to use either the simple present or the present perfact:

• I'll come as soon as I finish. or I'll come as soon as I've finished.
  
• You'll feel better when you have something to eat. or You'll feel better when you've had something to eat.
  

c. After if we also use the simple present (I do) for the future:

• It's raining. We'll get wet if we go out. (not if we will go)
  
• Hurry up! If we don't hurry, we'll be late. (not if we won't hurry)
  

Be careful not to confuse when and if.

Use when for things that are sure to happen:

• I'm going shopping this afternoon. When I go shopping, I'll buy some food.
  

Use if (not when) for things that will possibly happen:

• I might go shopping this afternoon. If I go shopping, I'll buy some food.
  
• If it rains this evening, I won't go out. (not when it rains)
• Don't worry if I'm late tonight. (not when I'm late)
• If he doesn't come soon. I'm going to wait. (not when he doesn't come)

UNIT 9 Exercises

9.1 All the sentences in this exercise are about the future. Put the verbs into the correct form: the future will/won't or the simple present(I do).

Example: When I see (see) Tom tonight, I'll invite (invite) him to our party.

1. Before you leave (leave), don't forget to shut the windows.
2. I'll call (call) you as soon as I arrive (arrive) in Tokyo.
3. Please don't touch anything before the police come (come).
4. Everyone will be very surprised if he pass (pass) the exam.
5. When you see (see) Brian again, you won't recognize (not/recognize) him.
6. We won't start (not/start) dinner until Karen arrive (arrive).
7. You'll be (you/be) lonely without me while I am (be) away?
8. If I need (need) any help, I'll ask (ask) you.
9. Come on! Hurry up! Ann will be (be) annoyed if we are (be) late.

9.2 Make one sentence from two sentences.

Example: You are going to leave soon. You must visit the museum before that.

You must visit the museum before you leave.

1. I'll find somewhere to live. Then I'll give you my address.
   

   I'll give you my address when I find somewhere to live.

2. It's going to start raining. Let's go out before that.

   Let's go out before it start raining.

3. I'm going to do the shopping. Then I'll come straight home.

   I'll come straight home after I do the shopping.

4.  

   You'll be in Washington next month. You must come and see me then.
   

   You must come and see me when you are in Washingon next mont.
   

5. I'm going to finish reading this book. Then I'll get the dinner ready.
   

   I'll get the dinner ready when I finish reading this book.
   

6. We'll make our decision. Then we'll let you know.

   We'll let you know as soon as we make our decision.

9.3 Fill in when or if.

Example: If it rains this evening, I won't go out.

1. I'm sorry you've decided to go away. I'll be very sad ifyou leave.
2. Tom might call this evening. Whenhe does, can you take a message?
3. I think he'll get the job. I'll be very surprised ifhe doesn't get it.
4. I hope to be there by 10:30. But ifI'm not there, don't wait for me.
5. I'm going shopping. Ifyou want anything, I can get it for you.
6. I think I'll go home now. I'm feeling very tired. I think I'll go right to bed whenI get home.
7. I'm going away for a few days. I'll call you whenI get back.
8. I want you to come to the party but ifyou don't want to come, you don't have to.

 

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