Spanish grammar
Tan pronto como, una vez que, apenas: subjunctive for the future, indicative for facts
Sequence events with tan pronto como, una vez que and apenas, in the past and in the future.
From the scene Tan pronto como lleguemos (As soon as we arrive)
In short
Tan pronto como, apenas and una vez que take the subjunctive for what hasn't happened yet, the indicative for facts.
Your turn
Which one goes with once we're home (not yet)?
Options: apenas aterrizamos · una vez que estemos en casa · tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín
Show answer
once we're home (not yet) → una vez que estemos en casa
How it works
Tan pronto como and apenas mean "as soon as"; una vez que means "once".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Mujer de poca fe. Apenas (blank), será la primera.
Clue: we have not landed yet
Options: aterrizaremos · aterricemos · aterrizamos
Show answer
Mujer de poca fe. Apenas aterricemos, será la primera.
Oh ye of little faith. The moment we land, it'll be the first one out.
Good to know
When the event has not happened yet, they take the subjunctive (tan pronto como lleguemos).
Good to know
When it already happened, or always happens, they take the indicative (apenas aterrizamos, apenas llega un avión).
as soon as we get to Medellín (not yet) tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín
Nuria
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
Well. As soon as we get to Medellín, I want a shower.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Bueno. (blank), quiero una ducha.
Options: Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín · Una vez que estemos en casa · Apenas aterrizamos
Show answer
Nuria
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
Well. As soon as we get to Medellín, I want a shower.
once we're home (not yet) una vez que estemos en casa
Javi
Y una vez que estemos en casa, mi mamá te da de comer.
And once we're home, my mum will feed you.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y (blank), mi mamá te da de comer.
Options: tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín · apenas aterrizamos · una vez que estemos en casa
Show answer
Javi
Y una vez que estemos en casa, mi mamá te da de comer.
And once we're home, my mum will feed you.
the moment we landed (fact) apenas aterrizamos
as soon as I saw the gate (fact) tan pronto como vi la puerta
Elena
Pues yo, tan pronto como vi la puerta, adelanté a todo el mundo.
Well, as soon as I saw the gate, I overtook everyone.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Pues yo, (blank), adelanté a todo el mundo.
Options: tan pronto como vi la puerta · tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín · una vez que estemos en casa
Show answer
Elena
Pues yo, tan pronto como vi la puerta, adelanté a todo el mundo.
Well, as soon as I saw the gate, I overtook everyone.
as soon as a plane arrives (always) apenas llega un avión
Javi
Sí. Apenas llega un avión, las pasan al otro.
Yes. As soon as a plane arrives, they move them to the next one.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sí. (blank), las pasan al otro.
Options: Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín · Una vez que estemos en casa · Apenas llega un avión
Show answer
Javi
Sí. Apenas llega un avión, las pasan al otro.
Yes. As soon as a plane arrives, they move them to the next one.
Common mistake
Not llegamos or llegaremos here. We have not arrived yet.
Bueno. Tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín, quiero una ducha.
Well. As soon as we get to Medellín, I want a shower.
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
| as soon as we get to Medellín (not yet) | tan pronto como lleguemos a Medellín |
|---|---|
| once we're home (not yet) | una vez que estemos en casa |
| the moment we landed (fact) | apenas aterrizamos |
| as soon as I saw the gate (fact) | tan pronto como vi la puerta |
| as soon as a plane arrives (always) | apenas llega un avión |
More lines from the story
- JaviMujer de poca fe. Apenas aterricemos, será la primera.Oh ye of little faith. The moment we land, it'll be the first one out.
- JaviEs que una vez que pasé el control, me paré a comprar café.Well, once I got through security, I stopped to buy coffee.