English grammar
When + past simple (past) vs + present simple (future)
Contrast when for the past and when for the future.
From the scene When I grow up
In short
After when, use the past simple for the past, and the present simple for the future, never will.
Your turn
Which one goes with a finished past event?
Options: when the wedding comes · when you were a kid · when I was a kid
Show answer
a finished past event → when you were a kid
How it works
When about the past uses the normal past tense: when I was a kid.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And when I (blank) her husband... free cake every day!
Options: am · was · will be
Show answer
And when I am her husband... free cake every day!
Y cuando sea su marido... ¡pastel gratis todos los días!
Good to know
When about the future keeps the present simple, never will: when the wedding comes, when I'm her husband — even though the meaning is future.
a finished past event when I was a kid
Tomás
When I was a kid, I dreamed of a huge church.
Cuando era niño, soñaba con una iglesia enorme.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), I dreamed of a huge church.
Options: When I was a kid · When you were a kid · When the wedding comes
Show answer
Tomás
When I was a kid, I dreamed of a huge church.
Cuando era niño, soñaba con una iglesia enorme.
a finished past event when you were a kid
Nuria
No way! Really? When you were a kid, you already had good taste.
¡No! ¿En serio? Cuando eras niño, ya tenías buen gusto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No way! Really? (blank), you already had good taste.
Options: When the wedding comes · When you were a kid · When I was a kid
Show answer
Nuria
No way! Really? When you were a kid, you already had good taste.
¡No! ¿En serio? Cuando eras niño, ya tenías buen gusto.
NOT "when the wedding will come" when the wedding comes
Tomás
Not anymore. When the wedding comes, I want something small.
Ya no. Cuando sea la boda, quiero algo pequeño.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not anymore. (blank), I want something small.
Options: When the wedding comes · When I was a kid · When you were a kid
Show answer
Tomás
Not anymore. When the wedding comes, I want something small.
Ya no. Cuando sea la boda, quiero algo pequeño.
NOT "when I will be her husband" when I'm her husband
Your turn
What goes with when I'm her husband?
Options: a finished past event · NOT "when I will be her husband" · a finished past event
Show answer
when I'm her husband → NOT "when I will be her husband"
NOT "when I will be older" when I'm older
Tomás
I know, I know... As a kid, I told my mum: when I'm older, I'll marry a pastry chef.
Ya, ya. De niño le decía a mi mamá: cuando sea mayor, me caso con una pastelera.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I know, I know... As a kid, I told my mum: (blank), I'll marry a pastry chef.
Options: when you were a kid · when I'm older · when I was a kid
Show answer
Tomás
I know, I know... As a kid, I told my mum: when I'm older, I'll marry a pastry chef.
Ya, ya. De niño le decía a mi mamá: cuando sea mayor, me caso con una pastelera.
Common mistake
Not am or will be here. The past, not the future.
When I was a kid, I dreamed of a huge church.
Cuando era niño, soñaba con una iglesia enorme.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a finished past event | when I was a kid |
|---|---|
| a finished past event | when you were a kid |
| NOT "when the wedding will come" | when the wedding comes |
| NOT "when I will be her husband" | when I'm her husband |
| NOT "when I will be older" | when I'm older |
More lines from the story
- TomásAnd when I am her husband... free cake every day!Y cuando sea su marido... ¡pastel gratis todos los días!
- TomásAs a kid, I always dreamed about my wedding.De niño, siempre soñaba con mi boda.