Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

FUTURE REFERENCE IN SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

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In subordinate clauses with future reference introduced by subordinators such

as as, before, if, once, unless, until, when, the present tense is used, not

shall/will

:

[giving someone directions]

As

you

’re coming into the village, you’ll see a pub in front of you. Turn right

there.

[tennis player speaking]

If

I 

win this set, it will be a great result.

(If I will win this set, it will be a great result.)

So what are you going to do 

when

you 

get back?

(So what are you going to do when you will get back?)

In reported clauses involving verbs such as ask, insist, request, suggest, and after

conditional subordinators such as if, lest, on condition that, subjunctive mood

(involving the base form of the verb, 

Û

159e

) may occur in formal contexts to

refer to unfulfilled future events in the past:

They 

suggested

he 

contact a different person.

Indeed so great was the press of people around us, that I gripped my brother’s

arm 

lest

he 

be trampled underfoot.