The phrase “as soon as” is a common expression in English used to indicate that one action happens immediately after another. It’s a simple yet versatile way to describe the timing of events in both spoken and written English.
Meaning of “as soon as”
“As soon as” is used to express that one action or event follows another without delay. It connects two events, emphasizing their close sequence in time.
Examples:
“I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.”
“She called me as soon as she got the news.”
Examples of “as soon as” in sentences
“John ate dinner as soon as he came home.”
“We’ll leave as soon as the rain stops.”
“Please let me know as soon as you finish the project.”
Grammar structure of “as soon as”
The phrase “as soon as” is often followed by a subject and a verb.
Structure:
- As soon as + [subject] + [verb], [main clause].
Examples:
“As soon as the movie ended, we left the theater.”
“She’ll call you as soon as she arrives.”
It can also appear in reverse order:
- “[Main clause] + as soon as + [subject] + [verb].”
Synonyms for “as soon as”
Here are some alternative expressions with similar meanings:
The moment that
“I’ll call you the moment that I get home.”
Immediately after
“They left immediately after they finished dinner.”
Once
“She’ll text me once the meeting is over.”
How to use “as soon as” in daily conversations
Making plans:
“I’ll meet you at the café as soon as my meeting ends.”
Giving instructions:
“As soon as you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”
Describing past events:
“As soon as we saw the lightning, we went indoors.”