Differences Between Nachdem vs. Danach, Bevor vs. Vorher in German

One confusing element in German syntax is the difference between subordinate clause conjunctions and main clause connectors. While the former send the conjugated verb to the end of a sentence, the latter are followed by the conjugated verb and the subject and thus cause an inversion of the two. So which category do nachdem/danach, bevor/vorher belong to?

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Nachdem is a subordinate clause conjunction. Its translation "after doing something.." already indicates that there must be a difference in tense between the action of the subordinate clause that precedes the action of the main clause. Here are two examples showing you the tenses we normally use:

Nachdem ich mein Frühstück gegessen habe, lese ich meine E-Mails (Perfekt-present tense)

(After eating my breakfast, I read my emails)

Nachdem ich mein Frühstück gegessen hatte, las ich meine E-Mails or habe ich meine E-Mails gelesen (Plusquamperfekt-Präteritum or Perfekt)

(After I had eaten my breakfast, I read my emails

Danach does not subordinate but rather connects two main clauses stylistically. The difference in tense is not necessary here.

Ich habe (zuerst) mein Frühstück gegessen. Danach habe ich meine E-Mails gelesen.

(At first) I ate my breakfast. Afterwards, I read my emails)

Ich aß (zuerst) mein Frühstück. Danach las ich meine E-Mails.

(I hate my breakfast. Afterwards, I read my emails)

The same applies to the difference between bevor and vorher. Whereas bevor is a subordinate clause conjunction, vorher is a main clause connector.

Bevor ich meine E-Mails lese, habe ich gefrühstückt.

(Before I read my emails, I hate breakfast)

Bevor ich meine E-Mails gelesen habe, hatte ich gefrühstückt.

(Before I ate breakfast, I had eaten my breakfast)

Often, native speakers do not use different tenses with "bevor" though, so sentences like "Bevor ich meine E-Mails lese, frühstücke ich" have become acceptable, too.

Ich lese (gerade/jetzt) meine E-Mails. Vorher habe ich gefrühstückt.

(I'm currently reading my emails. Prior to that, I ate breakfast)

Ich las meine E-Mails. Vorher frühstückte ich.

(I read my emails. Prior to that, I ate my breakfast)

Watch out, though: if you only want to say ”before” or “after” followed by a noun, you have to use the two-way preposition vor or the dative preposition nach.

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For other examples of subordinate clause conjunctions and main clause connectors, check out my post on word order in the German language. On my language learning blog, you will also find articles on the Konjunktiv 2 in German, the difference between "um...zu" and "damit", on when to use "als" and "wenn", infinitive clauses with zu in German, adjective endings in German, and other topics like.