Sequencing events with nachdem
When describing a sequence of past events, the subordinating conjunction nachdem (after) is an essential tool.
To make it perfectly clear which event happened first, German uses strict tense sequencing. The earliest action—the one inside the nachdem clause—is placed in the Past Perfect (Plusquamperfekt). The action that followed it—the one in the main clause—is expressed in the Simple Past (Präteritum).
Because nachdem is a subordinating conjunction, it sends the conjugated helping verb (like hatte) to the very end of its clause.
Furthermore, when you start a sentence with a nachdem clause, that entire clause acts as the first idea. To satisfy the "verb second" rule, the main clause immediately following it must start with its verb. This places the helping verb of the first clause and the main verb of the second clause right next to each other, separated only by a comma.
| After I had left the house, I hurried to catch the bus. | Nachdem ich das Haus verlassen hatte, beeilte ich mich, um den Bus zu bekommen. |
| After she had watered the plants, she went to the office. | Nachdem sie die Pflanzen gegossen hatte, ging sie ins Büro. |
Describing routines
Nachdem is frequently used to recount morning chores or a series of tasks at the office, where one action must be finished before the next can begin.
| After we had emptied the dishwasher, we ate breakfast. | Nachdem wir die Spülmaschine ausgeräumt hatten, frühstückten wir. |
| After the colleague had saved the file, he turned off the computer. | Nachdem der Kollege die Datei gespeichert hatte, schaltete er den Computer aus. |
| After I had edited the presentation, I wrote an email to the boss. | Nachdem ich die Präsentation bearbeitet hatte, schrieb ich eine E-Mail an den Chef. |
| After the man had forwarded the attachment, he deleted the file. | Nachdem der Mann den Anhang weitergeleitet hatte, löschte er die Datei. |
