Brottin

TOPIC · Sentence structure & conjunctions

Distinguishing Nachdem and Bevor in German

B1B2

After this lesson you can build correct *nachdem* and *bevor* clauses and choose appropriate tenses for present, past and future contexts.

In this lesson you learn how to use the temporal conjunctions nachdem and bevor correctly to express a clear sequence of actions.

1Core idea of nachdem and bevor

  • Both words are temporal conjunctions introducing a subordinate clause (Nebensatz: verb at the end).
  • They link two actions that happen one after another (not at the same time).

Key idea:

  • nachdem → the action in the subordinate clause happens earlier.
  • bevor → the action in the subordinate clause happens later.

2Word order with subordinate clauses

With nachdem and bevor, the verb in the Nebensatz goes to the end:

  • Subordinate clause first:
    • Nachdem ich gegessen habe, gehe ich spazieren. (After I have eaten, I go for a walk.)
    • Bevor ich gehe, trinke ich noch einen Kaffee. (Before I leave, I drink another coffee.)
  • Main clause first (comma required):
    • Ich gehe spazieren, nachdem ich gegessen habe. (I go for a walk after I have eaten.)
    • Ich trinke noch einen Kaffee, bevor ich gehe. (I drink another coffee before I leave.)

3Using nachdem

Nachdem expresses “first A, then B”. The action in the subordinate clause is finished when the action in the main clause starts.

Typical tenses with nachdem

Tense in main clauseTense in nachdem clauseExampleMeaning
PräsensPerfektNachdem ich gegessen habe, gehe ich spazieren.First I eat, then I go for a walk (general, present).
PräteritumPlusquamperfektNachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich spazieren.First I ate, then I went for a walk (past).
Futur I or Präsens with future meaningPerfekt or PräsensNachdem ich gegessen habe, werde ich spazieren gehen.First I will have eaten, then I will go for a walk (future).

More examples:

  • Nachdem sie das Haus verlassen hatte, begann es zu regnen. (After she had left the house, it started to rain.)
  • Nachdem wir angekommen sind, machen wir eine Pause. (After we arrive, we take a break.)

4Using bevor

Bevor expresses “first B, then A”. The action in the main clause is later than the action in the subordinate clause.

Typical tenses with bevor

Very often the main and subordinate clause use the same tense:

Tense in main clauseTense in bevor clauseExampleMeaning
PräsensPräsensIch putze mir die Zähne, bevor ich ins Bett gehe.First I brush my teeth, then I go to bed.
PräteritumPräteritumEr machte das Fenster zu, bevor er einschlief.First he closed the window, then he fell asleep.
Futur I or Präsens with future meaningPräsensWir werden gehen, bevor es dunkel wird.We will leave earlier, darkness comes later.

More examples:

  • Sie ruft mich an, bevor sie losfährt. (She calls me before she sets off.)
  • Bevor der Unterricht beginnt, trinken wir einen Kaffee. (Before the lesson starts, we drink a coffee.)

5Typical mistakes and tips

  1. Tense with nachdem:

    • In the past: main clause Präteritum, nachdem clause Plusquamperfekt.
    • General statements: main clause Präsens, nachdem clause Perfekt.

  2. Do not confuse with prepositions:

    • nach + noun: nach dem Essen (after the meal).
    • bevor has no noun form; you need a clause: not bevor dem Essen, but bevor ich esse (before I eat).

  3. Think the sequence clearly:

    • Picture the order: what happens first? For nachdem, the earlier action usually goes in the subordinate clause; for bevor, the earlier action can be in either clause, but the time logic must stay correct.

summaryEn: After this lesson you can build correct nachdem and bevor clauses and choose appropriate tenses for present, past and future contexts.