Uses of Once as Conjunction

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When used as a conjunction, “once” is used to express the idea of “as soon as” or “after”. It is often used to indicate a condition or action that must be completed before another action can take place. The basic sentence structure is:

Once + [condition or action] + [resulting action]

Here are some examples based on different tenses:

Present tense:

  • Once + [simple present tense], [simple present tense]
  • Once he finishes his work, he goes to the gym.
  • Once she finishes her homework, she can go outside and play.
  • Once he gets his driver’s license, he will be able to drive to school.

Past tense:

  • Once + [simple past tense], [simple past tense]
  • Once she finished her dinner, she went to bed.
  • Once we arrived at the airport, we checked in our luggage.
  • Once they finished their meal, they paid the bill and left the restaurant.

Future tense:

  • Once + [simple present tense], [simple future tense]
  • Once they understand the rules, they will play the game.
  • Once I graduate from college, I plan to travel for a year.
  • Once they save enough money, they will buy a house.

In each of these examples, “once” is used to introduce a condition or action that must occur before the resulting action can take place. The use of “once” implies that the condition or action is expected to happen relatively soon or in the near future. The resulting action is usually expressed in the simple present, simple past, or future tense, depending on the context.

Here are some examples of using “once” as a conjunction in the passive voice:

Present tense:

  • Once the work is finished, the report will be reviewed by the manager.
  • Once the package is delivered, a confirmation email will be sent.

Past tense:

  • Once the project was completed, a presentation was given to the stakeholders.
  • Once the document was signed, it was filed in the cabinet.

Future tense:

  • Once the tickets are bought, the seats will be assigned by the airline.
  • Once the task is done, the progress will be updated by the team leader.

In each of these examples, the passive voice is used to emphasize the object of the sentence rather than the subject. The use of “once” as a conjunction indicates that the action is conditional and that the resulting action will happen after the condition has been met. The use of the passive voice adds a sense of formality or objectivity to the sentence.