English grammar
Once / as soon as + present perfect (finished first) vs past simple / past perfect (facts)
Sequence events with once / as soon as / the moment + present perfect (future) and past simple or past perfect (past).
From the scene Once we've got home
In short
Once or as soon as + present perfect means a future step will be finished first: once we've got home.
Your turn
Which one goes with future, finished first: once + present perfect?
Options: as soon as we've got to Medellín · the moment we landed, we ran · once we've got home
Show answer
future, finished first: once + present perfect → once we've got home
How it works
After once, as soon as and the moment, the present perfect (never will) talks about a future event and stresses that it will be finished first.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Well, as soon as I (blank) the gate, I overtook everyone.
Options: will see · saw · have seen
Show answer
Well, as soon as I saw the gate, I overtook everyone.
Pues yo, tan pronto como vi la puerta, adelanté a todo el mundo.
Good to know
Once we've got home, my mum will feed you.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Oh ye of little faith. The moment we(blank) landed, it'll be the first one out.
Clue: they haven't landed yet
Options: 've · 'll have · 'd
Show answer
Oh ye of little faith. The moment we've landed, it'll be the first one out.
Mujer de poca fe. Apenas aterricemos, será la primera.
Good to know
For something that already happened, use the past simple, or the past perfect to underline the order: once I'd got through security, I stopped to buy coffee.
future, finished first: as soon as + present perfect as soon as we've got to Medellín
Nuria
Right. As soon as we've got to Medellín, I'm having a shower.
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Right. (blank), I'm having a shower.
Options: As soon as we've got to Medellín · Once we've got home · The moment we landed, we ran
Show answer
Nuria
Right. As soon as we've got to Medellín, I'm having a shower.
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
future, finished first: once + present perfect once we've got home
Javi
And once we've got home, my mum will feed you.
Y una vez que estemos en casa, mi mamá te da de comer.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank), my mum will feed you.
Options: once we've got home · as soon as we've got to Medellín · the moment we landed
Show answer
Javi
And once we've got home, my mum will feed you.
Y una vez que estemos en casa, mi mamá te da de comer.
past fact: the moment + past simple the moment we landed, we ran
past, order stressed: once + past perfect once I'd got through security
Javi
Well, once I'd got through security, I stopped to buy coffee.
Es que una vez que pasé el control, me paré a comprar café.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank), I stopped to buy coffee.
Options: as soon as we've got to Medellín · once we've got home · once I'd got through security
Show answer
Javi
Well, once I'd got through security, I stopped to buy coffee.
Es que una vez que pasé el control, me paré a comprar café.
not will after once / as soon as once we've landed (not once we'll have landed)
Common mistake
Not 'll get or 'll have got here. They haven't arrived yet.
Right. As soon as we've got to Medellín, I'm having a shower.
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| future, finished first: as soon as + present perfect | as soon as we've got to Medellín |
|---|---|
| future, finished first: once + present perfect | once we've got home |
| past fact: the moment + past simple | the moment we landed, we ran |
| past, order stressed: once + past perfect | once I'd got through security |
| not will after once / as soon as | once we've landed (not once we'll have landed) |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWell, as soon as I saw the gate, I overtook everyone.Pues yo, tan pronto como vi la puerta, adelanté a todo el mundo.
- JaviOh ye of little faith. The moment we've landed, it'll be the first one out.Mujer de poca fe. Apenas aterricemos, será la primera.
- JaviYes. As soon as a plane arrives, they move them to the next one.Sí. Apenas llega un avión, las pasan al otro.