German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
bevor – vor – vorhin – vorher – davor
When we want to express an action that happens before another action, we can use different expressions with different words: VOR, BEVOR, VORHIN, VORHER und DAVOR. However, each word is used differently. In today's article we will look at these words!
1. The conjunction BEVOR
- Used with a subordinate clause (Nebensatz). In that case the action in the main clause (Hauptsatz) takes place before the action in the subordinate clause.
Bevor ich frühstücke, putze ich meine Zähne.
(Before I have breakfast, I brush my teeth.)
- The main clause and the subordinate clause can swap places:
Bevor ich frühstücke, putze ich meine Zähne.
= Ich putze meine Zähne, bevor ich frühstücke.
2. The preposition VOR
- The preposition VOR, functioning as a temporal preposition with the Dativ, can stand before a noun or noun phrase expressing the event or action that takes place first.
Vor meinem Urlaub putze ich die Wohnung.
(Before my vacation, I clean the apartment.)
= Ich putze die Wohnung, bevor ich in den Urlaub fahre.
→ The noun Urlaub is nominalized from the phrase in den Urlaub gehen so that it can be combined with the preposition VOR.
3. The adverb VORHIN
- VORHIN is an adverb that usually stands at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence, for example:
Vorhin habe ich meinen Chef getroffen.
= Ich habe vorhin meinen Chef getroffen.
( I met my boss a moment ago.)
→ VORHIN expresses an action that has just happened (usually a few minutes or hours ago). In addition, we can also use VORHIN to describe an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
- VORHIN cannot express an action that takes place in the future or an action that extends from the past. VORHIN is also not used when describing actions that happen in succession:
Ich gehe später in den Zoo und vorhin lese ich. → falsch
4. VORHER und DAVOR
- Refer to a specific point in time before something happens:
Ich fahre gleich zur Arbeit. Vorher sollte ich etwas frühstücken. (I'm about to drive to work. I should have some breakfast first.)
Ich habe erst heute die Wahrheit herausgefunden. Davor hatte ich keine Ahnung. (I only found out the truth today. Before that I had no idea.)
- Both of these adverbs mean before that and can both be used when talking about the past, present and future.
