Sequential Actions with "Une fois que"
When defusing a bomb, sequence is everything. To express "once" a specific action is completely finished, French uses une fois que.
| once | une fois que |
To show that an action must be entirely completed before the next one can begin, pair une fois que with a compound tense, such as the passé composé.
| Once you have found the bomb, do not touch it. | Une fois que tu as trouvé la bombe, ne la touche pas. |
Notice how the completed action (finding the bomb) is in the passé composé, while the subsequent instruction is in the imperative. This strictly orders the events.
| Once you have seen the diagram, gently remove the detonator. | Une fois que tu as vu le schéma, retire doucement le détonateur. |
You can also use the present tense in the main clause to describe what happens right after a completed step.
| Once the rookie has read the diagram, she understands it. | Une fois que la recrue a lu le schéma, elle le comprend. |
| Once the rookie has defused the bomb, the countdown stops. | Une fois que la recrue a désamorcé la bombe, le compte à rebours s'arrête. |
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