Putting two events in order
These conjunctions say how two events relate in time: right after, as long as, bit by bit, while waiting. They introduce a subordinate clause that you attach to a main clause.
As soon as, once, hardly
dès que, aussitôt que: as soon as
dès que is the standard word for as soon as. aussitôt que means the same and sounds a little more formal.
Dès que j'aurai les résultats, je te les enverrai.
As soon as I have the results, I'll send them to you.
Dès qu'il est entré, tout le monde s'est tu.
As soon as he came in, everyone fell silent.
une fois que: once
Stresses that one step is finished and that something new applies from then on.
Une fois que tu auras signé, tout ira vite.
Once you have signed, everything will go fast.
Une fois qu'on a compris la règle, c'est facile.
Once you have understood the rule, it's easy.
à peine … que: hardly … when
Two events follow each other almost at once. When à peine opens the sentence, written French uses inversion (verb before subject), just like English hardly had we ….
À peine avions-nous commencé à manger que le téléphone a sonné.
Hardly had we started eating when the phone rang.
On avait à peine commencé à manger que le téléphone a sonné.
We had barely started eating when the phone rang.
As long as, bit by bit, until then
tant que: as long as
The main clause holds for the whole duration of the subordinate clause.
Tant que je serai là, tu ne risques rien.
As long as I'm here, you're in no danger.
Tant qu'il pleut, on reste ici.
As long as it's raining, we're staying here.
au fur et à mesure que: as, bit by bit
Two developments run in parallel: one grows with the other. The phrase looks long but is everyday French.
Au fur et à mesure que les invités arrivaient, la salle se remplissait.
As the guests arrived, the room filled up.
en attendant que: while waiting for
The event you wait for has not happened yet, hence the Subjonctif. If both parts have the same subject, use en attendant de + infinitive.
En attendant que le train parte, on a pris un café.
While we waited for the train to leave, we had a coffee.
En attendant de recevoir sa réponse, j'ai préparé le dossier.
While waiting to receive his answer, I prepared the file.
