How do you distinguish between the future tense with noun clauses versus those with time clause?

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I am confused about using the future tense in noun clauses versus time clauses.

I know that the future tense is not used in time clauses, but that it can be used with noun clauses.

However, I am having trouble differentiating between noun clauses and time clauses in a sentence such as:

  1. I know when he will come.
  2. I will buy this when he asks me to.

In those two sentences, how can I determine that the dependent clause is acting as a noun clause and not as a time clause?

Answer

I am sure that deadrat’s answer is authoritative and complete, but I am going to give you a simpler approach in case you are having trouble with deadrat’s. Maybe mine will be too simple — let’s see.

For each of your sample sentences, let’s see what type of question fits. We should try to write a when question if we can. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll write a when question.

I will use your example sentences, but with a few little changes.

Statement 1: Mama knows when Ricky will come.

Question 1: What does Mama know?

A “when” question wouldn’t work here, so we write a “what” question.

Statement 2: Bruno will buy the new sofa when Papa gives him the money for it.

Question 2: When will Bruno buy the new sofa?

A “when” question works, so we stop there.

Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Kazi Abdul Mohite , Answer Author : aparente001

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