English grammar
Recap while negotiating: whether… or not, as soon as / until + present, before + past
Negotiate a joint decision, weighing alternatives and future conditions.
From the scene Galicia or Medellín?
In short
Whether… or not means it makes no difference. Future time clauses take the present, never will.
Your turn
Which one goes with two places, same result?
Options: whether in Galicia or in Medellín · whether it rains or not · as soon as a few drops fall
Show answer
two places, same result → whether in Galicia or in Medellín
How it works
Whether… or not (whether it rains or not) means it makes no difference, and takes the present for the future.
Good to know
Time clauses about the future also use the present, never will: as soon as a few drops fall, not until we've saved up.
Good to know
About the past, before simply takes the past: I told her before you started.
it makes no difference whether it rains or not
Nuria
Galicia. Whether it rains or not, there's room in my village.
Galicia. Tanto si llueve como si no, en mi pueblo hay sitio.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Galicia. (blank), there's room in my village.
Options: Whether in Galicia or in Medellín · As soon as a few drops fall · Whether it rains or not
Show answer
Nuria
Galicia. Whether it rains or not, there's room in my village.
Galicia. Tanto si llueve como si no, en mi pueblo hay sitio.
two places, same result whether in Galicia or in Medellín
Javi
Well, whether in Galicia or in Medellín, I want arepas.
Bueno, ya sea en Galicia, ya sea en Medellín, yo quiero arepas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank), I want arepas.
Options: as soon as a few drops fall · whether in Galicia or in Medellín · whether it rains or not
Show answer
Javi
Well, whether in Galicia or in Medellín, I want arepas.
Bueno, ya sea en Galicia, ya sea en Medellín, yo quiero arepas.
future time clause + present as soon as a few drops fall
Javi
And the rain? As soon as a few drops fall, my guests will fly back to Medellín.
¿Y la lluvia? En cuanto caigan cuatro gotas, mis invitados se vuelven a Medellín.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And the rain? (blank), my guests will fly back to Medellín.
Options: Whether it rains or not · Whether in Galicia or in Medellín · As soon as a few drops fall
Show answer
Javi
And the rain? As soon as a few drops fall, my guests will fly back to Medellín.
¿Y la lluvia? En cuanto caigan cuatro gotas, mis invitados se vuelven a Medellín.
not until + present perfect not until we've saved up
Your turn
What goes with not until we've saved up?
Options: not until + present perfect · it makes no difference · two places, same result
Show answer
not until we've saved up → not until + present perfect
before + past simple before you two even started
Elena
No need, dear. I told her before you two even started.
No hace falta, hijo. Se lo conté yo antes de que empezarais.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No need, dear. I told her (blank).
Options: whether it rains or not · whether in Galicia or in Medellín · before you two even started
Show answer
Elena
No need, dear. I told her before you two even started.
No hace falta, hijo. Se lo conté yo antes de que empezarais.
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
| it makes no difference | whether it rains or not |
|---|---|
| two places, same result | whether in Galicia or in Medellín |
| future time clause + present | as soon as a few drops fall |
| not until + present perfect | not until we've saved up |
| before + past simple | before you two even started |
More lines from the story
- ElenaDeal, then: the wedding in Galicia, and the food, Colombian.Pues trato hecho: la boda en Galicia, y la comida, colombiana.
- NuriaAnd I want octopus, whether you like it or not.Y yo quiero pulpo, tanto si te gusta como si no.