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Perfect Stranger Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Grammar question no. 59: when

Hello there,

I'm a bit unclear as far as the meaning of when goes here. In this sentence, does when imply that both the dream and the fact that the person will be far away will happen at the same time? Or does it seem to be saying that first the dream will come true and then the person will be far away?

Well, when your dream comes true, I'll be very far far away and long-forgotten.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Yes, both at the same time, ie it describes the situation at a single future point in time.

— Clive

  • Yes, both at the same time, ie it describes the situation at a single future point in time.
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7 Answers
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Yes, both at the same time, ie it describes the situation at a single future point in time.
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Thank you Clive. What's the best way to say that first the dream will come true and then the person will be far away?
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eg When/After your dream comes true, I will go far away.
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Perfect StrangerWhat's the best way to say that first the dream will come true and then the person will be far away?
Hello, Clive:

Could we also say "when your dream has come true, I will go far away" to make it clear that first the dream comes true, and then the person goes far away?

If we say "when your dream has come
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Could we also say "when your dream has come true, I will go far away" to make it clear that first the dream comes true, and then the person goes far away? Yes. But my simpler version (eg with 'after') also makes it clear.

If we say "when your dream has come true, I will be far away", will it mean that at the point or at the time when your dream comes true, t
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CliveIf we say "when your dream has come true, I will be far away", will it mean that at the point or at the time when your dream comes true, the situation will be that I will be far away? No
So, how would explain what the sentence "when your dream has come true, I will be far away" means? And how would you make a distinction
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So, how would explain what the sentence "when your dream has come true, I will be far away" means?
Let's say your dream is to buy a car. During some or all of the period that you have a car, I will be far away.

And how would you make a distinction between "when your dream has come true, I will go away" and "when y
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