Temporal Relationships: Using

Hindi uses postpositions to show temporal relationships. Most of these follow a noun or a verb. If you use a verb, it changes. This is the most important part. You must use the oblique infinitive form. For example, खाना (to eat) becomes खाने. This change allows the postposition to attach. It is like a grammar handshake. The word के often acts as a bridge. It connects the action to the time word. Words like बाद (after) or पहले (before) are common. They always sit after the word they modify. This is the opposite of English. It might feel backwards at first. Just remember: action first, time word second. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener when to go.

1. 1Start with your base noun or verb.
2. 2If it is a verb, change it to the oblique form. Change the -aa ending to -e.
3. 3Add the required bridge word, usually के or से.
4. 4Add the temporal postposition like बाद, पहले, or दौरान.
5. 5Complete the sentence with the main action.
6. 6Example: काम (Work) + के बाद (After) + मैं घर गया (I went home).
7. 7Result: काम के बाद मैं घर गया। (After work, I went home.)

Use these patterns when sequencing your day. Use them in job interviews to explain your history. They are perfect for giving directions with timing. Use के बाद for things that happen later. Use से पहले for things that happen earlier. If two things happen at once, use के दौरान. This is great for "during the flight" or "during the meeting." You can also use जब (when) for specific moments. These are essential for professional storytelling. Even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so take your time. It makes your Hindi sound sophisticated and clear.

Do not use के बाद for physical location. If someone is behind you, use के पीछे. के बाद is strictly for time sequences. Do not use the direct infinitive with these words. Saying खाना के बाद sounds very clunky and wrong. It must be खाने के बाद. Also, avoid using जब when a simple noun works better. If you can say "after lunch," don't say "when lunch was finished." Keep it simple where you can. Over-complicating things is a common trap for advanced learners.

Many people forget the oblique case for verbs. They say जाना के पहले instead of जाने से पहले. This is a classic mistake. Another error is mixing up के and से. पहले always takes से. बाद always takes के. Think of them as inseparable couples. Some learners also forget the के entirely. They might say काम बाद which sounds like "work after" in English. In Hindi, that bridge is mandatory. Don't let your sentences collapse without it! It is like forgetting to put fuel in a car.

Compare के बाद with के उपरांत. Both mean "after," but उपरांत is very formal. You will see it in books or news. In daily life, stick to के बाद. Compare जब with जब से. जब means "when" for a point in time. जब से means "since" for a starting point. For example, "Since I came to India" uses जब से. Also, look at के समय versus के दौरान. के समय is for a specific point. के दौरान implies a longer duration or process. Choosing the right one shows your B2 mastery.