To describe steps in a process or strict procedures, you often need to sequence actions using "before" and "after". In Arabic, when these time words are followed by a verb, they are paired with the particle أن.
Sequencing with (قبل أن)
To say "before doing something", Arabic uses قبل (before) followed by أن (that) and a present tense verb. Literally, this translates to "before that [someone] does [something]".
Because the verb follows أن, it must take the subjunctive mood. For most standard verbs, this means the final vowel sound changes to a fatha.
| We must check the security system before we leave the building. | يجب أن نفحص نظام الأمن قبل أن نغادر المبنى.yajibu an nafhasa nizâma al-amni qabla an nughâdira al-mabnâ |
| The thief breaks the lock before he enters the bank. | يكسر اللص القفل قبل أن يدخل البنك.yaksiru allissu alqufla qabla an yadkhula albanka |
If the verb refers to a plural "you" or "they", the subjunctive mood causes the final ن to drop.
| Entry is forbidden before you (pl) get the permission. | الدخول ممنوع قبل أن تحصلوا على الإذن.ad-dukhûlu mamnû'un qabla an tahsulû 'alâ al-idhni |
Sequencing with (بعد أن)
To express "after doing something", you use the exact same grammatical structure, replacing قبل with بعد (after). The verb following بعد أن still takes the subjunctive mood.
| We verify the fingerprints after the employees arrive. | نتأكد من البصمات بعد أن يصل الموظفون.nata'akkadu mina al-basamâti ba'da an yasila al-muwazzafûna |
| They inspect the room a lot after they find the fingerprint. | يفتشون الغرفة كثيرا بعد أن يجدوا البصمة.yufattishûna al-ghurfata kathîran ba'da an yajidû al-basmata |
Following Protocols
When explaining rules or strict security measures, these clauses perfectly connect required actions with their conditions.
| The policeman gets the permission before he inspects the car. | يحصل الشرطي على الإذن قبل أن يفتش السيارة.yahsulu ash-shurtiyyu 'alâ al-idhni qabla an yufattisha as-sayyârata. |
| The policeman examines the fingerprint after the thief escapes. | يفحص الشرطي البصمة بعد أن يهرب اللص.yafhasu ash-shurtiyyu al-basmata ba'da an yahruba al-lissu |
