Time Clauses: Voordat and Nadat
To describe sequences of events, use the subordinating conjunctions voordat (before) and nadat (after).
These words introduce a subordinate clause and trigger verb-final word order, sending the conjugated verb in that clause all the way to the end.
| I read the manual before I begin. | Ik lees de handleiding voordat ik begin. |
Separable Verbs in Subordinate Clauses
Many actions involving procedures or devices use separable verbs, like aanzetten (to turn on), uitzetten (to turn off), or aansluiten (to connect).
In a standard main clause, these verbs split. However, because a time clause sends the conjugated verb to the end of the sentence, the two parts of the separable verb meet at the end and recombine into a single word.
| You read the manual before you turn on the machine. | Je leest de handleiding voordat je de machine aanzet. |
| We drink coffee after we turn off the machine. | We drinken koffie nadat we de machine uitzetten. |
Using Time Clauses in Complex Sentences
This verb-final rule applies to the subordinate clause regardless of the main clause structure. Whether the main clause is a question or uses a modal verb (like moeten), the structure of the time clause remains exactly the same.
| You must connect the cable before you turn on the computer. | Je moet de kabel aansluiten voordat je de computer aanzet. |
| The manager tests the system after we connect the cable. | De manager test het systeem nadat wij de kabel aansluiten. |
| Do you turn on the computer before you connect the cable? | Zet u de computer aan voordat u de kabel aansluit? |
