English grammar
The minute / the moment + present (future) or past; on + noun / -ing
Say exactly when things happen with the minute / the moment + present or past, and on + noun.
From the scene The minute we land
In short
The minute and the moment mean immediately when: present for the future, past simple for the past.
Your turn
Which one goes with future event: the moment + present?
Options: the minute we land, I call my mum · the minute I got it, I got married · the moment you walk in, she hugs you
Show answer
future event: the moment + present → the moment you walk in, she hugs you
How it works
Like as soon as, the minute and the moment mean "immediately when".
Good to know
For a future event they take the present simple, never will: the minute we land, I call my mum.
Good to know
For a past event they take the past simple: the minute I got it, I got married.
Good to know
On + noun or -ing (on take-off, on arrival, on landing) says the same thing more formally.
future event: the minute + present the minute we land, I call my mum
Javi
The minute we land, I call my mum. She made me promise.
Nada más aterrizar, llamo a mi mamá. Me lo hizo prometer.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). She made me promise.
Options: The moment you walk in, she hugs you · The minute I got it, I got married · The minute we land, I call my mum
Show answer
Javi
The minute we land, I call my mum. She made me promise.
Nada más aterrizar, llamo a mi mamá. Me lo hizo prometer.
future event: the moment + present the moment you walk in, she hugs you
Javi
Nothing. The moment you walk in, she hugs you and won't let go.
Nada. Al entrar, ella te abraza y no te suelta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nothing. (blank) and won't let go.
Options: The minute I got it, I got married · The moment you walk in, she hugs you · The minute we land, I call my mum
Show answer
Javi
Nothing. The moment you walk in, she hugs you and won't let go.
Nada. Al entrar, ella te abraza y no te suelta.
past event: the minute + past simple the minute I got it, I got married
Elena
Never. The minute I got it, I got married. And it stayed in a drawer.
Nunca. Nada más sacarlo, me casé. Y se quedó en un cajón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Never. (blank). And it stayed in a drawer.
Options: The minute we land, I call my mum · The moment you walk in, she hugs you · The minute I got it, I got married
Show answer
Elena
Never. The minute I got it, I got married. And it stayed in a drawer.
Nunca. Nada más sacarlo, me casé. Y se quedó en un cajón.
formal: on + noun on take-off / on arrival
Nuria
Doña Elena, on take-off, would you like the window?
Doña Elena, al despegar, ¿quiere la ventanilla?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank), would you like the window?
Options: she hugs you · on take-off · the minute we land
Show answer
Nuria
Doña Elena, on take-off, would you like the window?
Doña Elena, al despegar, ¿quiere la ventanilla?
formal: on + -ing on landing, please remain seated
Common mistake
Not will get or got here. They aren't home yet.
And the moment we get home? What do I say to your mum?
¿Y al llegar a casa? ¿Qué le digo a tu madre?
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 event: the minute + present | the minute we land, I call my mum |
|---|---|
| future event: the moment + present | the moment you walk in, she hugs you |
| past event: the minute + past simple | the minute I got it, I got married |
| formal: on + noun | on take-off / on arrival |
| formal: on + -ing | on landing, please remain seated |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd the moment we get home? What do I say to your mum?¿Y al llegar a casa? ¿Qué le digo a tu madre?
- ElenaGloria invited me. Well, I invited myself. I've had a passport since sixty-five.Me invitó Gloria. Bueno, me invité yo. Tengo pasaporte desde el sesenta y cinco.