Grammar · Free lesson
TOEIC grammar: we’ll reply as soon as we receive it
You have not received the form yet. You want to say that your reply will follow its arrival promptly.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Say “We’ll reply as soon as we receive your form.” Receive has a present form, but the time is future. In this future time clause, do not add will after as soon as. Keep will in the main clause if you are making that future statement.
Future meaning does not require will in both clauses.
As soon as connects the response to the earliest relevant time after another event. Build the main clause “We will reply,” then the time clause “as soon as we receive your form.” Match the present verb to its subject: we receive, the form arrives. Reversing the clause order does not change this pattern.
Compare the examples
We will reply as soon as we receive your form.
As soon as we receive your form, we will reply.
We will call as soon as the shipment arrives.
This sentence links two events. It does not tell us the date when the form will arrive.
Build the meaning step by step
Keep the future main clause
We will send a confirmation.
Add the present time clause
as soon as we receive payment
Try it now
Check the time clause
Read all answers and explanations
The form has not arrived yet. Complete: We’ll reply as soon as we ___ it.
receiveReceive is the present-simple form in this future time clause.
Complete the present-simple time clause: We’ll call as soon as the shipment ___.
arrivesSingular shipment takes arrives. Do not add future will in this time clause.
Put the time clause first without changing the future meaning.
As soon as we receive it, we’ll reply.The same pattern works in reverse order; the final option changes the events to the past.
Put it into practice
Repair the future message
Keep a future promise to send confirmation after payment is received. Use the present-simple time-clause pattern.
We will send a confirmation as soon as we will receive payment.
See a model answer
We will send a confirmation as soon as we receive payment.
The correction preserves sequence and future meaning without claiming payment has already arrived.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Is as soon as we have received it wrong?
No. Present perfect can emphasize completion before the next action. This exercise specifically practices the simpler present pattern.
We’ll reply as soon as we have received the form.
Can when ever be followed by will?
Yes, in a different structure such as an embedded question. “I don’t know when it will arrive” refers to an unknown arrival time; it is not a time clause telling when another action happens.
I don’t know when the shipment will arrive.
Take it into your day
We’ll reply as soon as we receive it: future action, present time-clause form.
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