Temporal clauses with seit/seitdem, bis and während

In German, grammar concerning temporal clauses is an important grammar topic. In today's article, we will explore together temporal clauses used with seit/seitdem, bis, and während.

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1. „Seit / Seitdem"

- A temporal clause with seit/seitdem is a subordinate clause that describes a state, event, or action that has begun but has not yet ended.

„Ich lerne Deutsch, seitdem ich in Deutschland wohne."

(I have been learning German since I started living in Germany.)

⇒ Both actions began at the same point in time and have not yet ended.

„Seitdem ich einen Unfall hatte, sitze ich im Rollstuhl."

(Since I had an accident, I have been sitting in a wheelchair.)

⇒ When the action in the subordinate clause with seit/seitdem has already ended, the verb is conjugated in the past tense. In this case, the main clause stands in the present tense because the event or action in the present has not yet ended.

2. „bis"

- A temporal clause with bis is a subordinate clause that expresses the simultaneity of two actions and identifies the point at which both actions end together.

„Ich bleibe hier, bis ich mit meiner Arbeit fertig bin."

(I will stay here until I have finished my work.)

⇒ The action of staying and the action of working occur at the same time. The moment both of these actions end is precisely the moment the work is completed.

„Bis du mit der Arbeit fertig bist, sehe ich ein bisschen fern."

(Until you have finished your work, I will watch a little television.)

⇒ The action of working and watching television occur simultaneously and will both end when the work is completed.)

3. „während"

- A temporal clause with während is a subordinate clause that expresses the simultaneous occurrence of two actions.„Ich gehe einkaufen, während du die Wohnung aufräumst."

= „Während du die Wohnung aufräumst, gehe ich einkaufen."

(I go shopping while you clean up the apartment.)

⇒ Two actions happen at the same time.