| Element | FORM: WITH 'BY THE TIME' |
|---|---|
| SuperCat | FUTURE |
| SubCat | present simple for future use |
| Lexical Range | N/A |
| Level | C1 |
| Cando | Can use the present simple with 'by the time' to refer to the future. |
| Corrected Learner Example | … by the time he gets home, he will just want to go straight to bed. (Mexico; C1 EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY; 1998; Spanish - Latin American; Pass) By the time you arrive the information office at the airport will be closed, as at 11.00 o'clock a full day strike will start. (Italy; C1 EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY; 1993; Italian; Pass) |
| Uncorrected Learner Example | By the time he gets home, he will just want to go straight to bed. (Mexico; C1 EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY; 1998; Spanish - Latin American; Pass) By the time you arrive the information office at the airport will be closed as at 11.00 o'clock a full day strike will start. (Italy; C1 EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY; 1993; Italian; Pass) |
| Comments | Note that there aren't many time conjunctions – they are quite a closed set, but their use with the present simple for future does develop as you move up the levels. |
