As soon as he gets back

[Bhikkhu1991a]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #645 "Prepositional Phrases - In, On, Out and Under (18)", question 9

I am sorry, Sir. You will have to wait until next week to talk to Sergeant O'Brien. He is currently ......... leave right now until Monday. He asked for this short vacation some time ago. If you like, I can give him a message as soon as gets back.

(a) in
(b) on
(c) out
(d) under

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #645 "Prepositional Phrases - In, On, Out and Under (18)", answer 9

I am sorry, Sir. You will have to wait until next week to talk to Sergeant O'Brien. He is currently on leave right now until Monday. He asked for this short vacation some time ago. If you like, I can give him a message as soon as gets back.

Correct answer: (b) on
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Hello,

There is a mistake in the last sentence of this test. "as soon as gets back" is an incomplete time clause. Could you please double-check the mistake?

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Bhikkhu1991a.

[Beeesneees]

Hello Bhikku,

You are always excellent at finding the mistakes, but this time there isn't one.
This is a perfectly permissible phrase, and is in common use.

The part in brackets is implied:
I can give him a message as soon as he gets back (to the office after he finishes his leave).

... as soon as he gets back' can be used for both short time periods:
He's just popped out for a minute but I'll let him know you phoned as soon as he gets back.
and for longer time periods:
He's not expected to return here for four weeks, but I'll pass your message on to him as soon as he gets back.

The people involved shuld recognise that 'as soon as' isn't absolutely literal. The message, etc. won't be passed on the second the person comes through the door, but he will get the message shortly after arriving.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Torsten]

I think Bhikku means that in the phrase the personal pronoun 'he' is missing. I've added it and it will go online with our next database update.

TOEIC listening, talks: A weather forecast for a coastAL region

[Beeesneees]

Ah yes, I see it now.

Sorry, Bhikku.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Bhikkhu1991a]

Hello Torsten and Beeesneees,

I am sorry that I did not make myself clear enough. Actually, I meant there is no subject in the dependent clause of the last part of the last sentence of this test--If you like, I can give him a message as soon as gets back.

By the way, Beeesneees’s English lesson on how to use “as soon as” is well-explained. It is a blessing in disguise to me. Of course, I do not mean I will make myself unclear again in the future in order to gain more good English lessons.

Once again, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused on my part.

Best wishes,
Bhikkhu1991a.

[Beeesneees]

You have nothing to apologise for, Bhikku. The fault was mine for not reading the sentence carefully. Thank you for your kind words though.
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Cheers m' dears!