когда + Future Tense
Future in Time Clauses
Unlike English, which uses the present tense after 'when' for future events (e.g., 'When I arrive...'), Russian requires the future tense in both the main and the subordinate clause.
How It Works
English speakers often make the mistake of using the present tense in time clauses because of their native grammar logic. In Russian, the logic is strictly chronological: if the event is in the future, the verb is in the future.
1. Using the Perfective Future:
Use this when the 'when' clause describes a specific, completed action that must happen before the main action. This is the most common usage.
Example: Когда я прочитаю книгу, я дам её тебе. (When I [will] finish reading the book, I will give it to you.)
2. Using the Imperfective Future:
Use this when describing a future process or a state that will be ongoing at the time of the main action. This often involves the future form of 'to be' (буду, будешь, etc.).
Example: Когда я буду в Москве, я зайду к тебе. (When I am [will be] in Moscow, I will stop by.)
3. Punctuation:
Always remember to place a comma between the когда clause and the main clause, regardless of which one comes first.
Examples (4)
- Когда я вырасту, я буду космонавтом.
When I grow up, I will be a cosmonaut.
Word by Word: When I [will] grow up, I will be [a] cosmonaut.
Uses the perfective future 'вырасту' because growing up is a completed transition to a new state.
- Я позвоню тебе, когда буду дома.
I will call you when I am home.
Word by Word: I will call you, when [I] will be [at] home.
Uses the imperfective future 'буду' to describe a future state of being at home.
- Когда мы посмотрим фильм, мы его обсудим.
When we have watched the movie, we will discuss it.
Word by Word: When we [will] watch [the] movie, we it [will] discuss.
The perfective 'посмотрим' indicates the discussion happens only after the viewing is finished.
- Когда ты придёшь, мы поужинаем.
When you arrive, we will have dinner.
Word by Word: When you [will] arrive, we [will] have dinner.
The arrival is a specific future point in time, requiring the perfective future.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense in the 'when' clause for future events.
Когда он приходит, мы пойдём в кино.Когда он придёт, мы пойдём в кино.In English, we say 'When he arrives' (present), but in Russian, you must use the future 'придёт' because the arrival hasn't happened yet.
Confusing habitual actions with specific future actions.
Когда я приду домой, я всегда пью чай.Когда я прихожу домой, я всегда пью чай.If you are talking about a general habit (always), use the present tense in both clauses. Use the future only for a specific upcoming event.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn future time clauses with 'когда', you need to be comfortable with the basic temporal marker 'когда' and be able to conjugate verbs in the future tense (both imperfective compound future and perfective simple future).
- когдаWhen Question
The learner must first understand the basic use of 'когда' as a question word and temporal marker.
Level 1 - буду + InfinitiveCompound Imperfective Future
Understanding how to form the future tense is essential since this pattern requires using future verb forms in both clauses.
Level 3 - Perfective aspect for completed result
Time clauses in the future often use the perfective aspect to indicate a completed action that triggers a subsequent event.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Perfective future
This pattern explains how to form the perfective future verbs used in these time clauses.
Level 3 - если + Future TenseReal Condition with Future
Similar to 'когда', the conjunction 'если' (if) also requires the future tense in Russian when referring to future conditions.
Level 3 - пока / как толькоTemporal Subordination
Other temporal conjunctions like 'as soon as' follow the same rule of tense harmony for future events.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice когда + Future Tense in Bubblegum
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