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Old 09-May-2008, 14:56
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Default question of tense

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.
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Old 09-May-2008, 15:52
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Smile Re: question of tense

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.
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Old 09-May-2008, 17:01
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Default Re: question of tense

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Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother View Post
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.
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Old 10-May-2008, 03:58
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Default Re: question of tense

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother View Post
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.
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