German Grammar Explained /
After & before
We have learned how verbs can be quickly converted into nouns:
lernen → das Lernen
With nominalized verbs, we can create sentences to express that:
- two things are happening simultaneously (at the same time)
- two things happen sequentially (one before/after the other)
If you listen to music while you cook, you say:
Ich höre Musik beim Kochen.
I listen to music while cooking.
If you listen to music after you cook, you say:
Ich höre Musik nach dem Kochen.
I listen to music after cooking.
If you listen to music before you cook, you say:
Ich höre Musik vor dem Kochen. (um mich zu inspirieren ;))
I listen to music before cooking. (to get inspired ;))
Can I change the word order?
Yes! Check it out!
Beim Kochen höre ich Musik.
Nach dem Kochen höre ich Musik.
Vor dem Kochen höre ich Musik.
Pay attention to the verb position!