conjunctions

[ridvann]

Hello,

Let's assume that my mom tells me that there will be no one waiting for me at the airport when I arrive tomorrow.

And what do I say?

-I thought someone would wait for me when I arrive tomorrow.

I couldn't figure out which tense must be used after 'when'. Because in the context 'tomorrow' hasn't yet happened.

Thanks...

[ridvann]

I think I found it. The answer must be the second one. The reason is: Although 'When I arrive tomorrow' seems present tense, it is not. Normally, it means 'I though someone would wait for me when I would arrive tomorrow'. But we can't use 'would-will' after 'when'. For this reason the answer must be:

-I thought someone would wait for me when I arrive tomorrow.

But how about it?

I think I can do my homework before my father is here tomorrow.

In past:

-I thought I could do my homework before my father be/was here tomorrow.

Which one must we use?

Thanks...

[Raymott]

I think I found it. The answer must be the second one. The reason is: Although 'When I arrive tomorrow' seems present tense, it is not. Normally, it means 'I though someone would wait for me when I would arrive tomorrow'. But we can't use 'would-will' after 'when'. For this reason the answer must be:

-I thought someone would wait for me when I arrive tomorrow.

"I thought someone would be waiting for me when I arrive tomorrow."
"I expect that someone will be waiting for me when I arrive tomorrow."

But how about it?
There's no question about your second clause: it's correct. Your first clause isn't, unless they're only going to start to wait for you after you arrive - which would be a strange thing to do.


I think I can do my homework before my father arrives here tomorrow.

In past:

-I thought I could do my homework before my father arrived here the next day

Which one must we use?

Thanks...

"Is/was" doesn't sound very good. You certainly can't use "be".