To make it easier for a beginner learning English, to use time markers. These are words that in most cases are used exclusively at 1 time. Consider markers such as the simple adverb of time soon and the compound adverb as soon as. What time should I use after them, and how are such sentences translated? These are very interesting questions in English philology.
Use as soon as in speech. Examples
The subordinate union as soon as in English refers to the unions of the time, and is translated as the Russian expression - "as soon as" or "no later than". This service phrase consists of 2 words. The adverb as means the characterization of the mode of action. The adverb soon translates to "soon."
In speech, sometimes such expressions can not be dispensed with if we ask someone to perform an urgent matter, or when it comes to actions of a third party.
As soon as he came home, he called her. - He called her as soon as he got home.
Or in the first person.
I will go for a walk as soon as I finish my work. “I'll go for a walk as soon as I finish work.”
There is still such a turn of speech as as soon as possible - as fast as possible. Such an alliance expresses an even more urgent request, or more importantly, a matter that must be carried out urgently.
Subordinate clauses. Time unions
There are suggestions where the first part characterizes some condition in the present, and the second event in the future. And how the union between them is if, when or as soon as. What time to use: present or future? In complex sentences, the rule of the coordination of times always works , which we will talk about in more detail.
In such sentences, one of the allied words can be used : if, as soon as, when. What is the difference between unions that seem to perform the same function: point to the time frame as a condition of the event? The difference is that they still have different meanings. “If” gives you the option to answer. The “after” alliance indicates the sequence of events, but not specific dates. But as soon as implies the immediate fulfillment of the condition.
As soon as we got out the car, it started raining. - As soon as we got into the car, it started to rain.
The context of the proposal gives a clear idea: it started to rain the very minute that people hid in the car, but did not manage to get wet. It is in this context that this composite adverb is used.
After As soon as what time?
Native speakers easily cope with the definition of time and often omit the dialects that define it. But language learners cannot understand all the temporary rules at once. For example, how to understand: after the words "as soon as" what time to use - past, present or future when translating a sentence? “I will be ready as soon as I deal with this report yesterday.”
In complex sentences, where there is a time condition, we use the matching rule. According to this grammar rule, will is put after the union, and then the whole sentence is built in simple present tense.
As soon as we get off the train, I will see sister. “As soon as we get off the train, I will see my sister.”
The main part here - I will see, this phrase is composed in the future tense. And the subordinate part of the sentence is in the present.
There are times when the wording is used in the past tense. The actions of both the subordinate and the main proposal occurred in the past. But one of the events was earlier and served as a condition for the fulfillment of the second. Past simple is used to denote actions that have already completed by now.
As soon as they reached the house Tom called the girl. - As soon as they got home, Tom called the girl.
As soon as I came up, they got into a taxi and went away. - As soon as I approached, they got in a taxi and left.
Sometimes I wouldn't see Dad until I got back from Kingdom Hall on Sundays, but as soon as I ran into the house he'd be telling me what he'd seen the night before. - At times, I did not see my father until Sunday, until I returned from church, but as soon as I ran into the house, he began to tell me about what he had seen the day before.
All of these examples use Past simple tense.
Construction as soon as and perfect time
But perfect time is used to express the action of what has already happened up to a clearly specified time. This should be taken into account when there is doubt about how to translate the sentence into English with as soon as? What time should I use?
How Past Perfect is formed is shown in the figure. It schematically shows all the perfect times.
An example is: As soon as she had got married, she became happier. - As soon as she got married, she immediately became happier.
The construction of had got married indicates precisely the time Past Perfect.
This time can be called the pre-past. The perfect time focuses more strongly on the fact that the action in the subordinate sentence happened before the action of the main part began.
Adverb soon
Another adverb important in speech is soon, which can be interpreted in a sentence in several ways, depending on the context. Russian dialects soon, sooner or with readiness - all translated as soon. These pointer words are sometimes called time markers.
So, soon: what time indicator is this adverb? It soon refers to the adverbs of time, and usually indicates that the action will occur in the future. But there is no specification of the date of the event.
The doctor will soon be here. - The doctor will be soon.
However, the presence of this dialect does not always reflect the future. To use the right time, it is better to rely on the context, on the meaning of expression.
How to create a question with this adverb of time? To build an interrogative sentence, how is put forward. Then - an adverb, after it all the other members of the sentence.
How soon can you finish the job? “How fast are you able to finish this job?”
Adverb soon - what time marker?
As already mentioned, the adverb soon is used to denote various characteristics of the time of action. And it does not always express the future. What other times can be used? Now let's figure it out.
Here is an example of several compound adverbs with the word soon. What time in English expresses the phrase as soon as not (so likely) - is it the future or the present? The expression The sooner the better (The sooner the better); or the phrase "soon after"? All these nuances of speech need to be memorized at the beginning, since it is quite difficult to understand. We look at examples:
She found a job soon after graduation. - She found a job after she graduated.
This time is past, and the adverb in this sentence does not mean a possible future, but a short period, followed by a definite event. In this case, soon here is translated as immediately after .
How to consolidate knowledge?
Performing some simple exercises daily on a chosen topic, it’s easy to learn any complex rule. Let's present some suggestions where it is necessary to use the marker soon or as soon as. What time should I use when translating? Think about it.
- Once it gets dark, the street is empty. - As soon as it becomes dark, the street will empty.
- Call me as soon as you get home. - Call me as soon as you will arrive home.
- I will arrive as soon as there is free time.
- Immediately after reading the letter, she tore it up. - After she had read the letter, she tore it into pieces.
However, first you need to deal with Russian grammar. Then it will be easier to perceive the theoretical information regarding the coordination of times in English. For example, how is a complex sentence constructed? What is a subject and predicate in a sentence?
While studying grammar and practicing, translating sentences, to conquer English speech really in a short time.