bevor

Before (Bevor)

Level 3

Use bevor to connect two actions where the main action happens first. It requires the verb to move to the end of its clause.

How It Works

The conjunction bevor is the standard way to sequence events in German.

1. Word Order:
As a subordinating conjunction, bevor triggers verb-final word order. If the bevor-clause comes first, the main clause must start with a verb due to verb-second rules.

2. Punctuation:
You must always use a comma to separate the bevor-clause from the main clause.

3. Tense Usage:
Unlike 'nachdem' (after), which often requires a tense shift, bevor usually uses the same tense as the main clause. The word bevor itself already clarifies the timeline, so using the past perfect is generally unnecessary.

4. Bevor vs. Vor vs. Vorher:
Learners often confuse these three:
• Bevor is a conjunction followed by a subject and verb (e.g., bevor der Film anfängt).
• Vor is a preposition followed by a noun (e.g., vor dem Film).
• Vorher is an adverb meaning 'beforehand' or 'previously' and stands alone (e.g., Ich habe vorher gegessen).

5. Advanced Nuances:
In formal writing, you may encounter ehe, which is a synonym for bevor. Additionally, the construction bevor... nicht is used idiomatically to mean 'not until' (e.g., Ich gehe nicht, bevor du nicht gegessen hast).

Examples (5)

  1. Ich wasche die Hände, bevor ich esse.

    I wash my hands before I eat.

    Word by Word: I wash the hands, before I eat.

    A standard sentence where the 'bevor' clause follows the main clause. Note the verb 'esse' at the end.

  2. Bevor ich schlafen gehe, lese ich ein Buch.

    Before I go to sleep, I read a book.

    Word by Word: Before I sleep go, read I a book.

    When the 'bevor' clause starts the sentence, the main clause begins with the verb 'lese'.

  3. Ruf mich bitte an, bevor du losfährst.

    Please call me before you head out.

    Word by Word: Call me please at, before you away-drive.

    Even with separable verbs like 'losfahren', the entire verb stays together at the end of the 'bevor' clause.

  4. Bevor der Film anfing, kauften wir Popcorn.

    Before the movie started, we bought popcorn.

    Word by Word: Before the movie started, bought we popcorn.

    In the past tense, both clauses typically stay in the same tense (Präteritum).

  5. Du musst den Stecker ziehen, bevor du das Gerät reinigst.

    You must pull the plug before you clean the device.

    Word by Word: You must the plug pull, before you the device clean.

    Commonly used in instructions to indicate a necessary sequence of actions.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'bevor' as a preposition with a noun.

    Bevor dem Frühstück trinke ich Wasser.
    Vor dem Frühstück trinke ich Wasser.

    Use 'vor' (preposition) for nouns and 'bevor' (conjunction) for clauses with verbs.

  • Incorrect verb placement in the 'bevor' clause.

    Bevor ich gehe nach Hause, kaufe ich Brot.
    Bevor ich nach Hause gehe, kaufe ich Brot.

    The conjugated verb must move to the very end of the clause introduced by 'bevor'.

  • Forgetting the comma.

    Ich putze die Zähne bevor ich ins Bett gehe.
    Ich putze die Zähne, bevor ich ins Bett gehe.

    In German, a comma is mandatory between a main clause and a subordinate clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

bevorLevel 3Before (Bevor)

Learn This First

To use 'bevor' correctly, you must understand that it is a subordinating conjunction. This means it triggers a specific word order where the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause. You should already be comfortable with basic verb conjugation and the general concept of subordinate clauses in German.

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