Future Time Clauses 2: Once You’ve Finished…
By the end: I can make completion before a later action clear.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Look forward with a present perfect
After once, after or when, a present perfect can emphasise completion before the next future action.
Once you’ve checked the list, send it to me.
We’ll leave after everyone has arrived.
Keep will in the main plan
In ordinary future time clauses, use a present form rather than will. The main clause can express the future plan.
When I’ve finished, I’ll call you.
After she’s signed, we’ll send a copy.
Do not invent a compulsory contrast
Once you finish and once you’ve finished can both work. The perfect makes completion explicit; it does not create a new rule that only one is grammatical.
Once you finish, let me know.
Once you’ve finished, let me know.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Complete: Once you have ___ it, send it. Use check.
Compare a model and explanation
checked
Have takes a past participle.
2. Complete: We’ll begin after everyone ___ arrived.
Compare a model and explanation
has
Everyone takes singular has.
3. Correct the ordinary future time clause: When I will have finished, I’ll call.
Compare a model and explanation
When I have finished, I’ll call.
Use a present form in this time clause.
4. Make completion explicit: Once you read it, tell me.
Compare a model and explanation
Once you’ve read it, tell me.
The present perfect highlights completion.
5. Is Once you read it, tell me necessarily wrong?
Compare a model and explanation
No.
The present simple can express the sequence too.
6. Order the actions: After you’ve paid, collect the ticket.
Compare a model and explanation
Pay first, then collect.
The time clause gives the prerequisite step.
7. Make a negative completion boundary: do not leave before everyone signs.
Compare a model and explanation
Don’t leave until everyone has signed.
Completion is the endpoint for waiting.
8. Write a two-step instruction with a present-perfect time clause.
Compare a model and explanation
After you’ve saved the file, close the app.
Keep the order plausible.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: When should I send the form?
B: Once you’ve checked every section, send it to me.
A: Will you reply immediately?
B: I’ll reply after I’ve compared it with the original.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Give two instructions with once or after plus present perfect.
Reveal a possible response
Once you’ve checked the total, submit it. After you’ve saved the file, close it.
Success check: Put completion before the next step.
Speaking 2
Give a present-simple alternative and explain that it is also possible.
Reveal a possible response
Once you finish, call me. Once you’ve finished, call me. Both work; the second highlights completion.
Success check: Do not invent a false grammatical prohibition.
Put it all together
Plan a three-step process with two completion boundaries.
Reveal a possible response
After everyone has checked the details, we’ll sign. Once we’ve signed, we’ll send a copy. Then we’ll wait for confirmation.
Success check: Keep the order and subjects clear.
Take it with you
I can make completion before a later action clear.