B1-3 · Putting events in order with nachdem and bevor
Before and after
Connect preparation and later events without losing track of what happened first.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
First the shopping, then the cooking
A dinner with friends needs a little planning. Nachdem means after and introduces the earlier action. In a past story, the nachdem clause often uses the Plusquamperfekt and the main clause uses the Präteritum.
Nachdem wir eingekauft hatten, kochten wir eine Suppe.
After we had done the shopping, we cooked a soup.
Nachdem Eva das Gemüse gewaschen hatte, schnitt sie es klein.
After Eva had washed the vegetables, she chopped them.
Nachdem die Gäste angekommen waren, servierten wir das Essen.
After the guests had arrived, we served the food.
Wir räumten auf, nachdem alle gegangen waren.
We tidied up after everyone had left.
The conjugated verb goes at the end of the nachdem clause: nachdem wir eingekauft hatten. If that clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb: kochten wir. Separate the clauses with a comma.
02
Before the guests arrive
Bevor introduces an event that comes later than the action in the other clause. For plans or routines, both clauses can use the present. The order of the clauses on the page does not determine the order of the events.
Bevor die Gäste kommen, decke ich den Tisch.
Before the guests arrive, I set the table.
Ich probiere die Suppe, bevor ich sie serviere.
I taste the soup before I serve it.
Bevor wir essen, waschen wir die Hände.
Before we eat, we wash our hands.
Bevor ich gehe, verabschiede ich mich.
Before I leave, I say goodbye.
In Bevor die Gäste kommen, decke ich den Tisch, setting the table happens first. Bevor does not automatically require the Plusquamperfekt. Here the present expresses a plan.
03
Read the timeline, not just the first clause
Now follow the end of the evening. Both connectors can introduce the second clause. To check the meaning, name the two events and decide which happens first. Then check the verb at the end of the subordinate clause.
Wir aßen, nachdem wir gekocht hatten.
We ate after we had cooked.
Wir kochten, bevor wir aßen.
We cooked before we ate.
Nachdem Ben die Küche aufgeräumt hatte, ging er nach Hause.
After Ben had tidied the kitchen, he went home.
Bevor ich das Licht ausschaltete, suchte ich meinen Schlüssel.
Before I switched off the light, I looked for my key.
Nachdem looks back to an earlier event; bevor points forward to a later one. Compare Wir aßen, nachdem wir gekocht hatten with Wir kochten, bevor wir aßen. Cooking comes first in both.
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