Temporal clause with 'bevor' (before)
Temporalsatz mit 'bevor'
'bevor' (before) marks that the main-clause action happens earlier than the subordinate-clause action.
Structure
bevor + Subjekt ... Verb (Endstellung) - Nachzeitigkeit der Handlung im Nebensatz
bevor + subject ... verb (final position) - the action in the subordinate clause comes later
Details
- Part of Speech
- Conjunction
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
bevor ("before") introduces a temporal and sends the to the end. It signals that the main-clause action happens earlier than the action in the bevor-clause.
Examples:
- Bevor ich schlafen gehe, putze ich mir die Zähne. - Before I go to sleep, I brush my teeth.
- Bevor wir losfahren, müssen wir tanken. - Before we set off, we have to get fuel.
Both clauses usually stay in the same tense - unlike with nachdem, no is required.
Do not confuse:
- bevor = subordinating (+ full clause): Bevor ich gehe, ...
- vorher = ("beforehand"): Ich putze mir die Zähne. Vorher esse ich.
Common mistakes: Using the vorher where the bevor is needed (or vice versa). Also unnecessarily shifting one clause into the - with bevor, keeping both clauses in the same is normal.
About Temporal clause with 'bevor' (before)
'bevor' (before) marks that the main-clause action happens earlier than the subordinate-clause action.
'bevor' introduces a ; the goes to the end. The main action takes place earlier in time than the 'bevor'-action.
'Bevor' zeigt, dass die Haupthandlung vor der Nebenhandlung passiert.
Caution
Both clauses usually stay in the same tense (no Plusquamperfekt needed). Don't confuse 'bevor' (conjunction) with 'vorher' (adverb).