B2 Expression Formel 3 min de lecture

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll

Before going into details, it should

Littéralement: Before onto the details entered is, shall

Use this phrase to establish big-picture context before diving into complex specifics in professional settings.

En 15 secondes

  • Sets the stage before discussing specific details.
  • Uses professional passive voice for an objective tone.
  • Ideal for presentations, essays, and structured business meetings.

Signification

This phrase is used to signal that you want to address a broad, important point or provide context before diving into the specific, smaller details of a topic.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

In a business meeting

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll die allgemeine Strategie kurz erläutert werden.

Before going into details, the general strategy should be briefly explained.

💼
2

Writing a university paper

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll der theoretische Rahmen dieser Arbeit definiert werden.

Before going into details, the theoretical framework of this work should be defined.

👔
3

Planning a trip with a very organized friend

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll erst mal das Budget für den Urlaub feststehen.

Before going into details, the budget for the vacation should be set first.

🤝
🌍

Contexte culturel

This expression is deeply rooted in German 'Sachlichkeit' (objectivity). It reflects a communication style that prioritizes structure and logical flow over emotional or spontaneous delivery. It became a staple of 'Amtsdeutsch' (officialese) and academic writing in the 20th century.

💡

The Passive Polish

Using the passive voice ('wird') instead of 'wir' (we) makes you sound more objective. It shifts the focus from the speaker to the information itself.

⚠️

The 'Auf' Trap

Always remember that 'eingehen' requires the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative case. It’s 'auf DIE Details', not 'in die Details'.

En 15 secondes

  • Sets the stage before discussing specific details.
  • Uses professional passive voice for an objective tone.
  • Ideal for presentations, essays, and structured business meetings.

What It Means

Imagine you are building a house. You wouldn't pick the curtains before the walls are up, right? This phrase is the linguistic version of building the walls. It tells your listener to hold their horses because you have a big-picture point to make first. It acts as a bridge between a general introduction and the 'nitty-gritty' facts. When you use it, you sound like someone who has a clear plan and values logical structure.

How To Use It

This phrase is a bit of a grammatical powerhouse. It uses the passive voice (eingegangen wird), which makes it sound objective and professional. The structure usually looks like this: Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll + [Subject] + [Verb at the end]. For example: Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll das Ziel besprochen werden. It is a classic 'B2' level construction because it combines a subordinate clause with the passive voice and a modal verb. It’s like a little linguistic dance that shows off your German skills.

When To Use It

This is your best friend in professional or academic settings. Use it during a PowerPoint presentation when moving from your intro to the main data. It’s perfect for university essays or formal reports. If you are in a meeting and everyone is arguing about small things, you can use this to pull them back to the main strategy. It makes you look organized, prepared, and very 'German' in your approach to problem-solving.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use this at a bar or while ordering food. If you say, 'Before going into details about the toppings, the crust should be discussed,' the waiter might think you're writing a thesis on pizza. It is far too stiff for casual WhatsApp messages with friends. Avoid it in any situation where 'chilling' is the main goal. Using it in a heated argument with a partner might also backfire, as it can sound a bit cold or overly analytical.

Cultural Background

In Germany, there is a strong cultural value placed on 'Gründlichkeit' (thoroughness) and 'Ordnung' (order). There is a preferred way of presenting information called 'Vom Allgemeinen zum Besonderen'—from the general to the specific. This phrase is the verbal embodiment of that logic. It reflects the German desire to have a 'Roter Faden' (a red thread or consistent theme) running through any explanation or argument.

Common Variations

If you want to sound slightly less formal, you can use the active voice: Bevor wir uns die Details anschauen... (Before we look at the details...). If you want to be even more academic, you might hear Vorab sei erwähnt... (First, it should be mentioned...). Another common one is Zunächst einmal... (First of all...), which is simpler but lacks the specific 'roadmap' feel of our main phrase.

Notes d'usage

This is a high-register expression. It requires correct use of the passive voice and the preposition 'auf'. It is most effective in structured environments like work or school.

💡

The Passive Polish

Using the passive voice ('wird') instead of 'wir' (we) makes you sound more objective. It shifts the focus from the speaker to the information itself.

⚠️

The 'Auf' Trap

Always remember that 'eingehen' requires the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative case. It’s 'auf DIE Details', not 'in die Details'.

💬

The Roadmap Secret

Germans love a 'Gliederung' (outline). Using this phrase acts as a verbal signpost, which instantly makes your German audience feel more comfortable and focused.

Exemples

6
#1 In a business meeting
💼

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll die allgemeine Strategie kurz erläutert werden.

Before going into details, the general strategy should be briefly explained.

This helps align the team on the 'why' before the 'how'.

#2 Writing a university paper
👔

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll der theoretische Rahmen dieser Arbeit definiert werden.

Before going into details, the theoretical framework of this work should be defined.

A classic way to structure an academic introduction.

#3 Planning a trip with a very organized friend
🤝

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll erst mal das Budget für den Urlaub feststehen.

Before going into details, the budget for the vacation should be set first.

Using formal logic in a casual context to be clear.

#4 Texting a friend who is over-explaining a drama
😄

Stopp! Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, sollst du mir sagen: Wer hat angefangen?

Stop! Before going into details, you should tell me: Who started it?

A slightly humorous, mock-formal way to cut to the chase.

#5 In a difficult conversation with a partner
💭

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll gesagt sein, dass ich dich immer noch schätze.

Before going into details, it should be said that I still value you.

Setting an emotional baseline before discussing specific problems.

#6 Explaining a complex board game
😊

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, soll das Ziel des Spiels für alle klar sein.

Before going into details, the goal of the game should be clear to everyone.

Essential for keeping people from getting confused by rules.

Teste-toi

Complete the formal sentence using the correct verb form.

Bevor auf die Details ___ wird, soll das Hauptproblem benannt werden.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : eingegangen

The phrase uses the passive voice construction 'eingegangen wird' (participle II).

Choose the correct modal verb to complete the structure.

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird, ___ der Kontext geklärt werden.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : soll

'Soll' is the standard modal verb used in this specific introductory expression to indicate intent.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality Level of 'Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird...'

Informal

Chatting with friends over coffee.

Bevor wir quatschen...

Neutral

Discussing a project with a colleague.

Bevor wir ins Detail gehen...

Formal

Official presentations or academic papers.

Bevor auf die Details eingegangen wird...

Where to use this expression

Bevor auf die Details...
🎓

University Lecture

Explaining a scientific theory.

💼

Business Meeting

Presenting quarterly results.

✉️

Formal Letter

Writing to a government office.

📖

Instruction Manual

Introducing a complex process.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It comes from the verb eingehen auf, which means 'to address', 'to deal with', or 'to go into' a topic.

No, it is very common in spoken German during presentations, speeches, or formal discussions.

You can, but soll is the standard choice. Muss sounds a bit more aggressive or urgent.

Because bevor is a subordinating conjunction, which pushes the conjugated verb (wird) to the end of the clause.

Yes! That is the active version. It is slightly less formal but still very polite and professional.

Usually, yes, because you are usually referring to a collection of specific points.

You might say Kommen wir nun zu den Details (Let's come to the details now) once you are finished with the intro.

Not at all in a professional setting. It sounds like you are well-prepared and structured.

It might be a bit complex for B1, but mastering it will definitely make you sound like a B2 or C1 speaker.

Only if you are being funny or ironic about a very simple topic, like planning a movie night.

Expressions liées

Zunächst einmal

Im Vorfeld

Einführend lässt sich sagen

Um es vorwegzunehmen

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