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"As soon as" in Spanish
To indicate an action that happens just before another action starts, we use the following conjunctions to introduce a subordinate time clause that expresses "as soon as":
en cuanto/apenas/tan pronto como = as soon as
En cuanto
Apenas
Apenas abro la puerta de casa, me pongo las zapatillas.As soon as I open the door, I put on my slippers.
No te preocupes, apenas pueda ir al cajero sacaré 50 euros.Don't worry, as soon as I can go to a cash machine [US: automated teller] I will take out 50 euros.
Tan pronto como
Tan pronto como lo pille, lo voy a castigar sin salir dos días.As soon as I get hold of him he will be grounded for two day.
Tan pronto como me doy la vuelta, hace alguna travesura.As soon as I turn my head, he does something naughty.
Important:
The clauses introduced by en cuanto/apenas/tan pronto como can use the indicative or the subjunctive:
- the indicative indicates that the action does happen/did happen, i.e. habitual actions or past actions
- the subjunctive indicates a future action that is yet to happen
These conjunctions are interchangeable - they all convey the same meaning.
See also:
- Cuando + the present subjunctive vs Cuando + the present indicative in Spanish
- Cuando + indicative for past events in Spanish (subordinate time clauses)
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