Curioustab Logo Curioustab
Home » General Knowledge » English

Fill in the blank with the correct verb form: I will scold him when _____.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: he comes

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This grammar question tests your understanding of the correct tense choice in adverb clauses of time, especially those introduced by when. The main clause uses simple future I will scold him, and the blank is part of a time clause that indicates when this future action will occur. Correct English has certain fixed rules about which tense follows when in such cases.


Given Data / Assumptions:

- Main clause: I will scold him. - Time clause: when _____. - Options: he will come, he comes, he would come, he had come. - The meaning is that the scolding will take place at the time of his future arrival.


Concept / Approach:

In English, in clauses of time introduced by when, before, after, as soon as, and similar conjunctions, we normally use the simple present tense to refer to future time, if the main clause is in future tense. For example, I will call you when I reach home, not when I will reach home. Therefore, he comes is the correct form to complete the sentence, not he will come or any past tense form.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Look at the main clause: I will scold him indicates a future action. 2. Recognise that the blank is part of a when clause, which tells us the time at which that future action will occur. 3. Recall the rule: after when, before, after, until, etc., we normally use simple present to refer to future events, not simple future. 4. Insert he comes: I will scold him when he comes. This correctly follows the rule and sounds natural. 5. Insert he will come: I will scold him when he will come sounds awkward and is considered incorrect in standard English. 6. Insert he would come: This suggests a conditional or unreal situation and does not match a straightforward future time clause. 7. Insert he had come: This is past perfect and suggests an action completed before another past action, which does not fit with I will scold him.


Verification / Alternative check:

Compare with similar sentences: I will help you when you ask, She will leave when the meeting ends, They will start when everyone arrives. In each example, the clause with when uses simple present for a future action. If you try to replace arrives with will arrive in the last example, it sounds unnatural. Applying the same pattern here confirms that he comes is the correct choice after when.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

He will come: Using will in the time clause is redundant and breaks the usual tense pattern after when in future time clauses. He would come: Would suggests a condition or habit in the past and does not fit a simple statement about the future time of scolding. He had come: Past perfect tense is used for actions completed before another past action, which is not the situation here.


Common Pitfalls:

Many learners mistakenly mirror the future tense of the main clause and write he will come after when. This is influenced by the way they might think in their first language. To avoid this, remember the simple rule: in time clauses referring to the future, use present tense after when, before, after, as soon as, while the main clause can use will. Practising with multiple examples will fix this pattern in your mind.


Final Answer:

The correct completion is he comes, making the full sentence I will scold him when he comes.

← Previous Question Next Question→

More Questions from English

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion