I asked a related question, which its answer's comments say I can use different tense after "Until", I thought of posting the question in a separate question to get a complete answer.
Which of the following are possible or more natural
- I waited until he left the room, then I entered there
- I waited until he leaves the room, then I entered there
- I waited until he had left the room, then I entered there
I know it could also be the following, but I didn't find a better example with "until". If you know use that.
- I waited for him to leave the room
What about present:
- I am waiting until he comes back
- I am waiting until he will come back
- I wait until he comes back
Or
- I can't help you until I finish/have finished my work
Best Answer
Ahmad, it follows the same rules as the past question. All tenses mentioned can be used in that sentence. However, as it's a past tense and you are telling a past history, using "had" would make it sound more fluent.
Now talking about your second question.
Remember, "until" cannot be used followed by the future tense, all the others alternatives are suitable for until, past tense, past continuous, present tense, present continuous, present perfect..
And I waited for him to leave the room also works and sounds good too, and functions with others tenses too:
I was waiting for him to leave the room
I will be waiting for him to leave the room;
I waited for him to leave the room
I have been waiting for him to leave the room.