Speaking · Free lesson
Game English: when does the sound start?
Your test notes say a door finishes opening before its sound begins. The agreed behavior is for the sound to begin at the start of the opening animation.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Say “The sound starts after the door finishes opening. It should start when the door begins to open.” Name both events and their start or end; “The sound is late” does not identify the reference point.
Name the reference event, including its start or finish.
Before places one event earlier than another; after places it later. The sound starts after the door finishes opening means the opening finishes first. Reversing the subjects can preserve the same order: The door finishes opening before the sound starts. When the door begins to open anchors the expected sound to the start, not the end. Should here reports the agreed behavior supplied in the task; it does not prove a particular technical fix.
Compare the examples
The sound starts after the door finishes opening.
The door finishes opening before the sound starts.
The sound should start when the door begins to open.
Starts opening and finishes opening are different reference points. Naming the door alone is not enough.
Build the meaning step by step
Observed event
The sound starts
Reference
after the door finishes opening.
Expected contrast
It should start when the door begins to open.
Try it now
Follow the event order
Read all answers and explanations
The door finishes opening first; then the sound starts. Which sentence matches?
The sound starts after the door finishes opening.After places the sound later than the completed opening.
Which sentence gives the same order as that observation?
The door finishes opening before the sound starts.Changing the subjects and using before preserves this order.
The agreed behavior is sound at the start of opening. Which wording states that?
The sound should start when the door begins to open.Begins identifies the required starting event.
Put it into practice
Explain the timing to Sam
Use the supplied notes: sound after opening finishes; expected sound at the start of opening.
- Sam
You said the door sound is late. Late compared with what?
See a model answer
- Sam
You said the door sound is late. Late compared with what?
- You
The sound starts after the door finishes opening.
- Sam
And when should it start?
- You
It should start when the door begins to open.
Both statements name the same animation but different reference points: finish versus start.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Should I invent an exact delay?
No. If it was not measured, report the observed sequence without adding milliseconds.
The sound starts after the opening animation ends.
Does when always mean perfectly simultaneous?
Not in every context. Here the supplied requirement anchors the sound to the start of opening. More exact tolerances would need separate confirmation.
The requirement says the sound starts when the door begins to open.
Take it into your day
Describe observed timing and expected timing with named reference events.
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