Design from … to … defines the start and end points of any time interval. Pretext to it is also allowed to replace until.
Most people work from Monday to Friday (= from Monday until Friday). Most people work from Monday to Friday.
Frank Sinatra was a famous singer. He lived from 1915 to 1998. Frank Sinatra was a famous singer. He lived from 1915 to 1998.
2
Pretext until marks the end of the period. However, it cannot be replaced by to, if the time interval is not set.
I'm leaving. I'll be away until June ( Not properly: to June). I'm leaving. I won't be here until June.
We waited for them until 6 o'clock but they didn't come. We waited for them until 6 o'clock, but they did not come.
David watched television until midnight. David watched TV until midnight.
In English until also forms a subordinate clause of time, acting as a union. Pay special attention to the syntax here:
In colloquial speech, instead of until usually put till:
3
Pretext since indicates a starting point in the past for continuous events. Typically used in group times Perfect.
I have known Natalie since April ( Not properly: I know … since April). I have known Natalie since April.
We've been living in Boston since 2005 (= from 2005 until now). We have lived in Boston since 2005.
Similarly until, preposition since forms subordinate clauses. Time is put in them either Past, or Perfect depending on the context.
Miles has been traveling since he was 20. Miles has been traveling since he was 20.
You haven't eaten anything since you came. You haven't eaten anything since you came.
Anthony has seen a lot of things since he's been living here. Anthony has seen a lot since he lived here.
In cases where the main sentence is in other tenses, the initial moment is indicated by the preposition from.
I'll be at home from 9 o'clock ( Not properly: since 9 o'clock). I will be at home from 9 o'clock.
4
Pretext for is responsible for the duration of the action. Unlike since, can be found in sentences of any group of tenses ( Present, Past, Future etc.).
Jennifer lived with us for two weeks. Jennifer lived with us for two weeks.
I will be away for 5 days. I will be gone for 5 days.
Nick is staying here for a few hours. Nick will stay here for a few hours.
They've been married for a long time. They have been married for a long time.
5
To understand the differences between each preposition, let's look at an example.
Today's date is November 12. Today's date is November 12th.
I've been in Greece from November 7 to 12 Nov. I've been there until now. I was in Greece from November 7th to November 12th. I have been there until now.
So I've been in Greece since 7 Nov. So I've been in Greece since November 7th.
And I've been there for five days. And I've been there for five days.
Way of formation of Future Perfect
shall / will + have + past participle
For instance:
You will have perfected
You improve
Will you have perfected your English by the time you comeback from the U.S.?
You improve your English by the time you get back from the US?
You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
You you won't improve your English by the time you get back from the US.
Verb conjugation in Future Perfect
| Number | Face | positive form | negative form | Interrogative form |
| single | 1 | I shall / will have stopped. | I. | Shall / will I have stopped? |
| 2 | You will have stopped. | You will not have stopped. | Will you have stopped? | |
| 3 | He will have stopped. She will have stopped. It will have stopped. |
He will not have stopped. She will not have stopped. It will not have stopped. |
Will he have stopped? Will she have stopped? Will it have stopped? |
|
| plural | 1 | You will have stopped. | You will not have stopped. | Will you have stopped? |
| 2 | We shall / will have stopped. | We shall/will not have stopped. | Will/should we have stopped? | |
| 3 | They will have stopped. | They will not have stopped. | Will they have stopped? |
Using the Future Perfect
Action to be completed before a certain moment or other action in the future
The Future Perfect describes an action that will already be completed before a certain point in the future, or before another action begins, and tense expressions such as, for example, can often be used: by the time…- by that moment, time, as ...; by that time, by then- by this time, by that time; before- before; after- after; etc.
For instance:
By next November, I will have received my promotion.
By next November I get promotion.
By the time he gets
home, she will have cleaned the entire house.
By the time he gets home, she clean up throughout the house.
I will not have finished this test by 3 o "clock.
I AM I won't finish this test by 3 o'clock.
Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves
to Beijing?
She is already will be able communicate in Chinese before moving to Beijing?
Sam will probably have completed the proposal by the time he leaves
this afternoon.
Most likely Sam will finish plan before he leaves in the afternoon.
By the time I finish
this course, I will have taken ten tests.
By the time I finish this course, I I will pass ten tests.
How many countries will you have visited by the time you turn
50?
How many countries are you visit by the time you turn fifty?
Please note that actions in subordinate clauses (such actions italicized) are expressed in Simple Present, not Simple Future. This is because these actions are in relative tense clauses that do not use the future tense (see explanation below).
A continuous action that will end before a certain time or another action in the future
The Future Perfect is used with non-long-term verbs and with mixed-group verbs that cannot be used in the continuous tense to indicate a continuous action that will end before a certain moment or another action in the future. This action may have begun in the past and may continue up to a specified point in the future, or it may only begin in the future and end before another point in the future.
For instance:
I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
I AM I will be in London for six months by the time I leave.
By Monday, Susan will have had
my book for a week.
By Monday Susan will keep my book for a week now.
Although the use of the Future Perfect in this sense is limited to non-long-term verbs and mixed-group verbs that cannot be used in the continuous tense, the verbs live, work, teach and study can also sometimes be used in this way, although they are not verbs of the non-long group.
The future tense is not used in subordinate clauses of time
Future Perfect, like all future tenses, is not used in subordinate clauses that begin with adverbs of time, such as: when- when; while- when, while; before- before; after- after; by the time- by the time when; as soon as- once; if- if; unless- if not; etc. Instead of the Future Perfect in this case, the Present Perfect is used.
For instance:
will have finished my homework. ( Wrong.)
I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. ( Right.)
I will watch a movie when finish their homework.
In order to make it easier for a beginner learning English to navigate the times, time markers are used. These are words that in most cases are used exclusively in 1 tense. Consider such markers as the simple adverb soon and the compound adverb as soon as. What time to use after them, and how are such sentences translated? These are very interesting questions of English philology.
The use of as soon as in speech. Examples
The subordinating conjunction as soon as in English refers to conjunctions of time, and is translated as a Russian expression - "as soon as" or "no later than". This service phrase consists of 2 words. The adverb as means a description of the manner of action. The adverb "soon" means "soon".
In speech, sometimes we cannot do without such expressions if we ask someone to do an urgent matter, or when it comes to the actions of a third person.
As soon as he came home, he called her. He called her as soon as he got home.
Or in first person.
I will go for a walk as soon as I finish my work. I will go for a walk as soon as I finish work.
There is also such a turn of speech as as soon as possible - as quickly as possible. Such an alliance expresses an even more or more important task that must be done urgently.
Unions of time
There are sentences where the first part characterizes some condition in the present, and the second event - in the future. And how the union between them is if, when or as soon as. What time to use: present or future? In compound sentences, a rule always works, which we will talk about in more detail.
In such sentences, you can use one of if, as soon as, when. What is the difference between conjunctions that seem to perform the same function: indicate the time frame as a condition of the event? The difference is that they have different meanings. "If" gives you a choice when answering. The union "after" indicates the sequence of events, but not a specific date. But as soon as implies the immediate fulfillment of the condition.
As soon as we got out the car, it started raining. - As soon as we got into the car, it started to rain.
The context of the sentence gives a clear idea: it began to rain at the same minute that people hid in the car, but did not have time to get wet. It is in this context that the compound adverb is used.
Native speakers can easily handle and often omit the adverbs that define it. But language learners do not immediately understand all the temporary rules. For example, how to understand: after the words "as soon as" (as soon as) what time to use - past, present or future when translating a sentence? “I'll be ready as soon as I've dealt with that report from yesterday.
In compound sentences, where there is a time condition, we use the agreement rule. According to this grammatical rule, will is placed after the union, and then the whole sentence is built in the simple present tense.
As soon as we get off the train, I will see sister. - As soon as we get off the train, I will see my sister.
The main part is here - I will see, This phrase is in the future tense. And the subordinate part of the sentence is in the present.
There are times when the wording is used in the past tense. The actions of both the subordinate and the main clause happened in the past. But one of the events happened earlier and served as a condition for the fulfillment of the second. The past simple is used to indicate actions that have already been completed up to the present moment of speech.
As soon as they reached the house Tom called the girl. As soon as they got home, Tom called the girl.
As soon as I came up, they got into a taxi and went away. - As soon as I approached, they got into a taxi and left.
Sometimes I wouldn’t see Dad until I got back from Kingdom Hall on Sundays, but as soon as I ran into the house he’d be telling me what he’d seen the night before. - At times I did not see my father until Sunday, until I returned from church, but as soon as I ran into the house, he began to tell me what he had seen the day before.
All of these examples use the Past simple tense.
Construction as soon as and perfect tense
But the perfect tense is used to express an action that has already happened up to a clearly specified time. This should be taken into account when there is doubt about how to translate into English a sentence with as soon as? What time to use?
How the Past Perfect is formed is shown in the figure. It schematically depicts all perfect tenses.
Here is an example: As soon as she had got married, she became happier. - As soon as she got married, she immediately became happier.
The construction had got married indicates exactly the time Past Perfect (Past completed).
This time can be called past. The perfect tense emphasizes that the action in the subordinate clause took place before the action of the main part began.
adverb soon
Another important adverb (adverb) in speech is soon, which can be interpreted in a sentence in several ways, depending on the context. Russian dialects soon, early or with readiness- all are translated as soon. These pointer words are sometimes called time markers.
So, soon: an indicator of what time is this adverb? Soon refers to the adverbs of time, and usually indicates that the action will take place in the future. But at the same time, there is no specification of the date of the event.
The doctor will be here soon. - The doctor will be here soon.
However, the presence of this dialect does not always reflect the future. To consume right time, it is better to rely on the context, on the meaning of the expression.
How to create a question with this adverb of time? For building interrogative sentence how is put forward. Then - an adverb, after it all the other members of the sentence.
How soon can you finish the job? How quickly can you complete this work?
The adverb soon is a marker of what time?
As already mentioned, the adverb soon is used to denote various characteristics of the time of action. And it doesn't always represent the future. What other tenses can be used? Now let's figure it out.
Here is an example of several compound adverbs with the word soon. What time in English does the phrase as soon as not (so likely) express - is it the future or the present? The expression The sooner the better (The sooner the better); Or the phrase "shortly after"? All these nuances of speech must be memorized at first, since it is rather difficult to understand. See examples:
She found a job soon after graduation. She found a job after she graduated.
This tense is past, and the adverb in this sentence does not mean a possible future, but a short period followed by a certain event. In this case, soon here is translated as right after.
How to consolidate knowledge?
By doing some simple exercises every day on a chosen topic of study, it is easy to learn any complex rule. Let's imagine several sentences where it is necessary to use the marker soon or as soon as. What time to use when translating? Think.
- As soon as it gets dark, the street will be empty. - As soon as it becomes dark, the street will be empty.
- Call me as soon as you get home. - Call me as soon as you will arrive home.
- - I will arrive as soon as there is free time.
- Immediately after reading the letter, she tore it up. - After she had read the letter, she tore it into pieces.
However, first you need to deal with Russian grammar. Then it will be easier to perceive theoretical information regarding the coordination of tenses in English. For example, how is a compound sentence constructed? What is the subject and predicate in a sentence?
At the same time, while studying grammar and practicing, translating sentences, it is really possible to conquer English speech in a short time.
The simplest constructions of the type "my name is…; I'm working…,; I'm going…” learn in the very first English lessons. But such phrases are not enough to use the language at least at an intermediate level. For an interesting conversation and successful communication with foreigners, you need to learn how to compose detailed expressions from simple sentences. We will develop this skill in ourselves today, studying the clauses of time in English and conditional constructions. Knowledge of typical combinations and the ability to use them correctly will enrich and diversify our speech.
Meaning of subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses are dependent constructions of complex sentences that help to reveal the meaning of the main sentence more widely, expressing any signs, causes, conditions, consequences, etc. The method of attaching an additional part of an expression to the main one can be different, but more often this always happens with the help of or allied words.
Dependent sentences in English can have different semantic meanings, and refer to any member of the sentence, both main and secondary. The most numerous category of subordinate structures is the adverbial group. It carries the meanings of time, purpose, place, cause, etc., in general, all those topics for which the circumstance is responsible. According to the construction of constructions, most of these additional sentences coincide with similar expressions in Russian. But two representatives of the adverbial group of English clauses sometimes have a tense form that is not typical for Russian-speaking people. We will talk about them in more detail in the next section.
Adverbs of tense in English
These additional constructions carry explanations about when and how long the actions and events referred to in the main clause are performed or were / will be performed. In other words, they express the time of occurrence of events. The sentences explaining the time are attached to the main part with the help of conjunctions. Most often in English speech the union when is used, therefore such subordinate clauses are often called that: sentences with when. But for different shades of time, other unions are also widely used, for example: assoonas,until,since,after,till,before,bythetime.
- MyparentshadgonetothetheaterbeforeI came home My parents had gone to the theater before I came home.
- Wewentforawalkintheparkafterthe snow had stopped We went for a walk in the park after the snow stopped falling.
- Myfatherhasn'tseenhisparentssincehe moved to the Netherlands My father has not seen his parents since he moved to the Netherlands.
In these examples, the clauses of time used in English do not differ much from Russian ones. What is their catch then? It lies in the construction of a practical construction, which refers to the future tense. In Russian we say " When I get home I will repeat this lesson". Note that both parts are in the future tense.
Other English topics: Alternative question in English - examples, features, subtleties of use
In English speech, such a construction is impossible, because the rules of grammar do not allow using the future tense in additional constructions. This is what distinguishes the clauses of time and conditions from other clauses. To indicate future events or actions, they will use the Present tense forms ( present Simple orpresent Perfect to indicate the completion of an action). Please note that this rule only applies to the dependent structure, the main part can be in any form, including in the future. Let's see how it looks in practice.
| Sentence | Translation |
| When I meet my colleague , I'll tell him about this story. | When I meet my colleague, I will tell him about this story. |
| I hope I will be at home before the hurricane reaches our city . | I hope that I will be at home before the hurricane hits our city. |
| Nick will go to the airport as soon as the concert finishes . | Nick will go to the airport as soon as the concert is over. |
| After the rain stops , they'll go to the supermarket. | After the rain stops, they will go to the supermarket. |
| I will live in this room until my brother returns home from his trip . | I will live in this room until my brother returns home from his trip. |
| By the time the police find him , he'll live in another country. | By the time the police find him, he will be living in another country. |
| They'll go to play football when they have done their homework . | They will go to play football when they finish their homework. |
| As soon as he has finished talking , I can use the phone. | As soon as he finishes talking, I can use the phone. |
Note that the English language has peculiar punctuation rules, according to which the subordinate clause is separated by a comma only when it is at the beginning of a sentence.
Let's just add a couple of words about conditional sentences, since they are the only constructions that behave in the same way when forming sentences with the future tense. As the name implies, these expressions reveal various probabilities, conditions, possibilities under which the events of the main statement may or may not be fulfilled. Unions by which they can be easily recognized - if,unless,incase.
The condition in English is a voluminous and complex topic, since English grammar has several types of such constructions with different rules for their use. You can learn more about all types of conditional sentences in the adjacent material.
Other English topics: English sentences with translation
As we have already said, subordinate clauses can be very different kind. And here, too, a little English cunning is hidden, since different types sentences can use the same conjunctions. For beginners in learning English, such confusion sometimes puts them in an awkward position and makes them make mistakes. In order to avoid unpleasant situations in a conversation, it is necessary to be able to distinguish which member of the sentence the dependent construction refers to. Why this is really important, let's look at example phrases.
As you remember, the rule about subordinate tenses says that the union when in English requires the Present tense after itself. But in the first sentence, we used the future, is this a deliberate mistake? No. These are two completely different situations of using the union: in the first case, it adds the complement construction ( doesn't know what?), and in the second situation, when attaches an adverbial construction that reveals the duration of the action ( won't know about it when?). Let's give a couple more examples for better memorization.
- Theydon'twriteyetwhen they will arrive - They do not write yet, (about what? - about that ...) when they arrive.
- Nobodysayswhen we have to finish ourworks - No one says (what? - that ...) when we have to turn in our work.
- Iwillbehappywhen I pass thisexamverywell - I will be happy (when? - then ...) when I pass this exam very well.
- Wewillhavesupperwhen guests arrive - We will have dinner (when? - then ...) when the guests arrive.
This rule also applies to conditional constructs if the if clause is used as an object in the clause.
This concludes the development of English clauses of time. We hope that you have mastered the basic rules, learned to distinguish between use cases and are ready to test your knowledge by doing exercises on the subject of adverbial tenses in English. Good luck in improving your foreign language!
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Let us turn again to the inexhaustible translation of the English language. This time we invite you to talk about the prepositions of place and time, which in Russian are expressed by one multifaceted and capacious “do”.
In our publications, we have already raised the topic of the fact that when translating Russian sentences into English, many are faced with the problem of choice. This can be demonstrated in several sentences. In each of them, the preposition “before” is deliberately used:
How can I get to Trafalgar Square?
The biblical flood occurred before the birth of Christ.
The hill is so high. How did you manage to get here so quickly?
You'll live to my age, we'll see.
The list can go on for a very long time. And in each new sentence there will be a new translation of the preposition “to”.
The main representatives of the preposition “until” in the category “time” are the aforementioned till / until, before, up to.
English prepositions till/until
The prepositions till / until can be translated from English as “until”, “until”. These prepositions are interchangeable in English, with 'until' being more formal.
Their value indicates the moment up to which the action is performed:
I will love you until the end of time. - I will love you until the end of my years.
Mother will stay at our place till June. - Mom will stay with us until June.
Also, the English prepositions till / until indicate the moment in the flesh until which the action was NOT performed and will not be performed:
The train tickets are not available until next Saturday. - Train tickets will only go on sale next Saturday.
English preposition before
This preposition is universal in relation to time and space. However, it is not a synonym for till/ untill. The meaning of the preposition before contains the following idea - in the temporal meaning, it indicates the precedence of an event, before an event:
Before breakfast I always go for a jog. - I always go for a run before breakfast.
In English, there is a stable temporary concept “before our era” or in other words “before the birth of Christ”. It can be used alone or in combination with the year designation:
Romans invaded British Isles 445 BC. - The Romans invaded the British Isles in 445 BC.
BC stands for ‘ before Christ’.
English preposition ere
Another temporary preposition in the meaning of “before”, “before” is ere. This word is more often used in poetic literary language and completely replaces the preposition before:
I would die ere I betray you. - I'd rather die, but I won't betray you.
All vespertine creatures dream ere night. - All creatures that cherish the night sleep until the day is gone.
As for prepositions of direction, they are much easier to deal with, because most of them are interchangeable. Since the Russian “do” involves moving from point A to point B, the leader in our selection is the preposition to and various combinations with it:
The last combination in this list can be used in a temporary value if it is used without the element ‘ here', which alludes to the place:
I'll have to study this subject up to June. I will have to study this subject until June.
In this meaning English preposition up to indicates the time limit up to which this or that action will occur.
We have already talked about prepositions of direction in English in more detail. You can familiarize yourself with the features of their use in the article.
In conclusion, we want to return to the translation of the sentences with which our story began. So, having at hand all the necessary information and options for translating the Russian preposition “to”, we can offer the following solution:
How can I get to Trafalgar Square? - place
Genesis flood took place BC. - time
The hill is so high. How could you manage to get up to here so fast? - place
Live to my great age and we'll see. - time
We wish you an interesting language practice and see you soon!
Victoria Tetkina
