once

[Polyester]

Is the following sentence correct and natural?

Once we got the Tax bill from the government, we will pay it soon.

 

[teechar]

1- Why is "tax" capitalized?
2- "Once" means "as soon as", so you don't need "soon" at the end.
3- Rethink the tenses.

 

[Polyester]

Hi teechar,

Once we got the tax bill from the government, we would pay it.

Is it correct now?

 

[teechar]

What time frame are you talking about - the past, present or future?

 

[Polyester]

1. Past tense, but my sentence is not correct if I talked to past tense. Because past tense was talking about repeated habitual action in the past.

2. Past tense is not only talking about habitual actions, but also is talking about states or completed actions at a specific time in the past.

3. According to information what i say as above-mention, it doesn't make any sense to use past tense. So, I prefer to use future tense.

Please correct me if i am wrong.

 

[GoesStation]

What time frame are you talking about - the past, present or future?

(Emphasis added by GoesStation.)

1. Past tense ….

Polyester, please answer teechar's question. "Past tense" is obviously a tense, not a time frame.

 

[Polyester]

past

 

[teechar]

Then why did you write that bit?

we will pay it soon.

 

[Polyester]

Once we got the Tax bill from the government, we will pay it soon.

I meant I got the tax bill, then pay it.

 

[teechar]

Polyester, "will" indicates the future. Amend your sentence.

 

[Polyester]

Once we got the tax bill from the government, we would pay it.

Is it correct now?

 

[teechar]

Yes, now it works. That sentence describes a situation entirely in the past. You can also use "we paid it" instead of "we would pay it".

 

[Polyester]

Could I try another version?

When the government sent us the tax bill by e-mail, we should check it and pay it.

Is it possible to say?

 

[teechar]

Do you realize that in your sentence above, "should" refers to the future? Is that what you intend?

 

[Polyester]

I don't know "should" intend to future. I got it now. Thank you teacher.

 

[GoesStation]

Could I try another version?

When the government sent us the tax bill by e-mail, we should check it and pay it.

Is it possible to say?

No. Sent places the first part in the past. Should check it means that the second part indicates an obligation which the syntax places in the present or future.

 

[teechar]

I [STRIKE]don't[/STRIKE] didn't know "should" [STRIKE]intend to[/STRIKE] can indicate the future. I've got it now. Thank you teacher.

You're welcome.
Post the revised sentence below.