When coordinating actions in time, you will often use zodra ("as soon as") and zolang ("as long as").
Subordinate clauses
Zodra indicates that an action happens immediately after a condition is met, while zolang describes an action that continues for the duration of a condition.
Both are subordinating conjunctions, which means they push the conjugated verb to the very end of their clause. When placed in the second half of a sentence, the main clause before it keeps its normal word order.
| We load the truck as soon as it arrives. | We laden de vrachtwagen in zodra hij aankomt. |
| The goods stay in the warehouse as long as there is no schedule. | De goederen blijven in het magazijn zolang er geen rooster is. |
Inversion
If you begin your sentence with the zodra or zolang clause, the main clause immediately following the comma must invert, meaning it starts with its conjugated verb.
| As soon as the shipment is ready, the planner chooses the route. | Zodra de zending klaar is, kiest de planner de route. |
| As long as it is raining, we wait with the transport. | Zolang het regent, wachten we met het transport. |
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