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Part 1 Β· Episode 25 A2-B1

When I Get There…

πŸ“ when/if/before + present

Harriet Tubman Β· Planning escape πŸ“– 4 min read

Episode 25: When I Get There…

when/if/before + present β€” Harriet Tubman, 1850s (A2-B1)

Grammar Box

Meaning: After time words (when, if, before, after, until), we use present tense even when talking about the future. The time word already shows future meaning.

Form: when/if/before/after/until + present tense, … will + base verb

Example 1: When I arrive, I will call you. (not: when I will arrive)

Example 2: If it rains, we will stay home. (not: if it will rain)

Common mistake: Wrong: When I will see you, I will smile. Better: When I see you, I will smile.

The Question

Luna writes a letter. “When I will arrive, I will call you.” She reads it again. Something feels wrong. The watch glows softly. Professor Wisdom appears with a gentle smile. “Future plans need present grammar. Strange, isn’t it? Let me show you why.”

The Journey

The light fades. Luna stands in darkness. Trees surround her. A woman crouches nearby, listening. “Where are we?” Luna whispers.

“Maryland, 1856,” the Professor says. “The Underground Railroad.”

The woman is Harriet Tubman. She escaped slavery seven years ago. But she came back. Again and again. To help others escape. She has guided dozens to freedom. Tonight, she guides five more.

Tubman had been enslaved her whole life. Beaten. Sold. Separated from family. In 1849, she ran. Followed the North Star. Reached Pennsylvania. Tasted freedom. But her family remained in chains. “I will return,” she promised herself. And she did.

Now she’s a conductor. The most wanted conductor on the Underground Railroad. Slave owners offer huge rewards for her capture. But she’s never lost a passenger. Never been caught.

“When we reach the next house, we’ll rest,” Tubman tells the frightened group. “If we hear dogs, we hide in the river. Before dawn comes, we must be ten miles north.”

Notice her words. Not “When we will reach.” Not “If we will hear.” Not “Before dawn will come.” She uses present tense. But she’s talking about the future.

Luna smells damp earth and fear. She hears owls hooting and branches cracking. She feels the terror of being hunted. Before Tubman’s courage, people stayed enslaved. After her journeys, three hundred souls found freedom.

“Her grammar is perfect,” Professor Wisdom says quietly. “When, if, beforeβ€”these words take present tense, even for future time.”

The Insight

“Time words have a special rule,” the Professor explains. “After when, if, before, after, until, as soon asβ€”we use present tense for future meaning.”

“Don’t say: ‘When I will arrive.’ Say: ‘When I arrive.’ Don’t say: ‘If it will rain.’ Say: ‘If it rains.’ The grammar is present. The meaning is future.”

“Why? Because these words already show future time. You don’t need ‘will’ twice. It’s like Tubman’s journey. Every step happens now. But every step points toward freedom.”

“‘When I get there, I will rest.’ The first part uses present grammar. The second part uses ‘will.’ One action leads to another. Clear and correct.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

  1. “When I see her, I will smile.” β€” Time clause + future result.
  2. “If it rains, we will stay home.” β€” Condition + consequence.
  3. “Before you leave, call me.” β€” Time clause + command.
  4. “After dinner ends, I will study.” β€” Sequence of events.
  5. “As soon as he arrives, the party will start.” β€” Immediate future.
  6. “Until she comes, we will wait here.” β€” Duration to future point.

Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blank: When I ___ (finish) my homework, I will watch TV. (Use present, not future)

  2. Choose the correct:
    a) If it will rain, we will cancel.
    b) If it rains, we will cancel.

  3. Match:
    – “Before I go, I’ll say goodbye.” β†’ Correct time clause
    – “Before I will go, I’ll say goodbye.” β†’ Incorrect

  4. Complete: As soon as she ___ (arrive), we ___ (start) the meeting.

  5. Your turn: Write a sentence using “when” + present tense + “will.” Example: “When I see you…”

Answer Key:

  1. finish
  2. b) If it rains, we will cancel. (Present tense after “if”)
  3. First is correct (present after “before”). Second is wrong (don’t use “will” in time clause).
  4. arrives / will start (present in time clause, “will” in main clause)
  5. Check: Did you use present tense after “when”? Did you use “will” in the second part?

The Lesson

Luna returns home. She rewrites her letter. “When I arrive, I will call you.” Present grammar. Future meaning. Like a path through darkness. Each step is now. But the destination is freedom.