Learn English – what is the difference between ” when it rains” and “when it is going to rain”

future-tensegrammarpresent-tensesubordinate-clausestense

  1. I will buy an umbrella when it rains.

  2. I will buy an umbrella when it is going to rain.

What is the difference between the first one and the second one?

Besides, can I change it to "when it is raining" in the first sentence?

Thanks a lot!

Best Answer

I will buy an umbrella when it rains.

The next time it rains, I will buy an umbrella. Or possibly the time after that.

I will buy an umbrella when it is going to rain.

The next time it looks like rain, I will buy an umbrella.

I will buy an umbrella when it's raining.

I'm not going to buy an umbrella until it's actually raining.

Related Topic