wara li
After an Event
In “after A, B,” A precedes B.
How It Works
Use wara li before a finite clause describing the earlier event. Write li separately. The temporal clause can precede or follow the main clause; its position does not decide which event happens first. Each predicate retains agreement with its own subject.
A completed sequence can use perfect forms in both clauses. A future main clause can combine with an imperfect naming an anticipated earlier event: Se nieklu wara li jasal Pawlu, “We will eat after Pawlu arrives.” Wara li does not automatically require a past-perfect auxiliary.
Compare wara li spiċċat il-laqgħa, “after the meeting ended,” with wara l-laqgħa, “after the meeting.” The noun phrase does not take li. Replacing the connector with qabel ma reverses the stated temporal relationship.
Examples (3)
- Wara li ħaslet il-platti, Rita qagħdet bilqiegħda.
After she washed the dishes, Rita sat down.
Both predicates concern Rita; washing precedes sitting down.
- Morna d-dar wara li spiċċat il-laqgħa.
We went home after the meeting ended.
The meeting's end precedes going home.
- Se nieklu wara li jasal Pawlu.
We will eat after Pawlu arrives.
The imperfect names an anticipated arrival before the meal.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Order the subordinate event before the main situation, distinguishing a finite wara li clause from a temporal wara noun phrase.
- meta + clauseA Temporal Frame
Provides temporal clause placement and independent event viewpoints, including an anticipated imperfect under a future main clause.
Level 4 - li + clauseLinking a Following Clause
Introduces separately written wara li and the finite complement whose event precedes the main situation.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- qabel maBefore an Event
This expresses the opposite temporal relationship.
Level 4 - kien + perfectAn Event Before a Past Reference
This auxiliary construction can additionally mark completion before a past reference.
Level 5 - taħt / quddiem / waraOther Spatial Relations
Compare temporal wara with its spatial use meaning behind.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice wara li in Bubblegum
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