Temporal Clauses with bevor/ehe

Both bevor and ehe mean 'before' in English. They introduce a subordinate clause. This means the word order changes. The verb does not stay in its usual second position. It packs its bags and moves to the very end. This is the golden rule of German conjunctions. You have the main clause and the sidekick (subordinate) clause. The sidekick always puts the verb last. Usually, the action in the main clause happens AFTER the action in the bevor clause is completed. Wait, actually, it is the other way around. The bevor clause describes the LATER event. For example: Bevor ich schlafe, putze ich Zähne. I brush my teeth first. Then I sleep. It sounds simple, but the logic can trip you up when you are tired. Think of it like a countdown.

1. 1Building these sentences is a three-step process.
2. 2Pick your conjunction. Use bevor for daily life. Use ehe for your fancy novels or business reports.
3. 3Write the subordinate clause. Start with bevor. Put the subject next. Then all the details. End with the conjugated verb.
4. 4Add a comma. Never forget the comma. It is the wall between your two thoughts.
5. 5Write the main clause. If you started with bevor, the main clause MUST start with a verb. This is the 'Verb-Comma-Verb' sandwich.
6. 6Example: Bevor (Conjunction) du (Subject) gehst (Verb), trink (Verb) etwas.

Use this pattern whenever you need to establish a sequence. It is vital in job interviews. You might say: Bevor ich mich bewarb, habe ich das Unternehmen recherchiert. It shows you are organized. Use it when giving directions. Biegen Sie links ab, bevor Sie die Brücke erreichen. It works for ordering food too. Bevor ich bestelle, möchte ich die Weinkarte sehen. It is perfect for any scenario where order matters. Imagine trying to explain how to fly a plane without 'before'. It would be a disaster. In C1, you use ehe to add a bit of 'flair'. It makes you sound well-read. Use ehe when writing a formal cover letter. It shows the recruiter you have a high level of language control.

Do not confuse bevor with the preposition vor. This is the most common C1 headache. Vor is for nouns. Bevor is for actions (verbs).

• Wrong: Bevor dem Essen...
• Right: Vor dem Essen...
• Right: Bevor wir essen...

If you do not have a subject and a verb, bevor is the wrong tool. It is like trying to use a fork to eat soup. It just does not work. Also, avoid using ehe in a casual bar conversation with friends. They might think you have spent too much time in the library. Keep it natural.

The verb position is the biggest trap. Native speakers will still understand you, but your C1 exam score will cry. Another mistake is tense. In English, we often use the '-ing' form. 'Before going home...' In German, this is impossible. You must say 'Before I go home'. You need a subject every single time. Do not skip it. Also, watch out for ehe. Remember that die Ehe also means 'marriage'. Do not tell someone Bevor ich meine Ehe beginne... if you just mean 'Before I start my task'. Unless you are actually getting married. That would be a very different conversation.

You have bevor (before) and nachdem (after). They are like two sides of a coin. Nachdem is much bossier. It usually requires a change in tense (Plusquamperfekt). Bevor is more relaxed. You can often use the same tense in both clauses. Bevor ich gehe, trinke ich. (Präsens + Präsens). Bevor ich ging, trank ich. (Präteritum + Präteritum). This makes bevor a very friendly grammar point. It does not ask for much. It just wants the verb at the end. Compare it to damit (so that). Damit explains 'why'. Bevor explains 'when'.