Correct use of 'If' and 'When' in a sentence

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'When' and 'If' sentences.
(When I do..../If I do.....).

Consider the following sentences:

A. What time will you call me tonight?
B. I will call you when I get back from work.

If we consider the above sentence by B (I will call you when I get back from work), it has two parts------- 'I will call you' (the main part) and 'when I get back home from work' (the when part). The sentence itself is a Simple Future Tense but you cannot use 'will' or 'going to' in the 'when part' of the sentence. This is the standard English. Instead we usually use Present Tense.

Look at a few more examples.

-I won't do it unless he takes back his words(NOT when he will take back).
-I will talk to you later when I have enough time (NOT when I will have enough time).
-When the rain stops, we will go out (NOT when the rain will stop).

The same thing happens after: While, before, after, until/til, as soon as etc. Consider the following sentences:

-Can you take care of the kids while I'm out (not while I will be out).
-Before you leave, you must visit the museum (not you will visit).
-Wait here until I come back (not until I will come back).
-I will go to India after I finish my exams (not when I will finish).
-We will get back to you as soon as we find you (not as soon as we will find).

-You can also use the Present Perfect Tense after when, until, while, after etc. For example:

-After I have read this book, you can have it.
-Don't say anything while Tina is here. Wait until she has gone.
-You can take his photo when he has asked you.

-After 'If' we use the Simple Present Tense. For example:

-It's raining. We'll get wet if we go out (not if we will go out).
-Hurry up! If we don't hurry, we will be late (not if we won't hurry).

Be careful not to be confused with 'When' and 'If'. Use 'When' for the things that are sure to happen or  the things which are already planned. For example:

-I'm going shopping this afternoon. When I go shopping, I'll buy some grocery.

-Use 'If' for things which are in doubt to happen or might possibly happen. For example:

- I might go shopping this afternoon. If I go shopping, I'll buy some grocery.
-If it rains this evening, I won't go out (not when it rains).
-Don't worry if I'm late tonight (not when I'm late).
-If he doesn't come soon, I'm not going to wait (not when he doesn't come).

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