question of tense

[enydia]

Hello, everyone.

I have a question of tense in when-clause.

Suppose Tom is a sophomore now. He used to plan to work in America after graduation.

If I want to describe that with when-clause, which is right, 'Tom planned to work in America when he finished college' or '...when he finishes college' or '...when he will finish college'?

Please give me some detailed explanation about concerned grammar rules if convenient. Those tenses really confuse me.

Thanks in advance.

[Shakespeare's brother]

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't: simply match up the tenses that you have outlined: 'planned...finished'; 'plans...finishes'. I wouldn't get too bogged down in conditional rules.

[enydia]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't: simply match up the tenses that you have outlined: 'planned...finished'; 'plans...finishes'. I wouldn't get too bogged down in conditional rules.

Thank you, Mr Shakespeare.

I think the sentence sounds odd if I say ''Tom planned to work in America when he finished college'. It seems that Tom graduated sometime in the past.

Can you give me some more advice?

Thanks in advance.

[enydia]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't: simply match up the tenses that you have outlined: 'planned...finished'; 'plans...finishes'. I wouldn't get too bogged down in conditional rules.[Does this mean that I have thought too much about the tense?]

Thank you.