Breakdown of Ich pumpe den Reifen auf, bevor wir losfahren.
Questions & Answers about Ich pumpe den Reifen auf, bevor wir losfahren.
aufpumpen is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses the prefix (auf) detaches from the verb stem (pumpen) and moves to the very end of the clause, while the finite verb form (pumpe) stays in the second position.
Example: Ich pumpe … auf.
bevor is a subordinating conjunction. German always requires a comma before a subordinate clause introduced by such conjunctions. Here it separates the main clause from the time clause:
Ich pumpe den Reifen auf, bevor wir losfahren.
Two rules apply at once:
- losfahren is also a separable-prefix verb.
- Subordinate clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction (bevor) send the finite verb (here fahren with its prefix los) to the very end. In subordinate clauses the prefix reattaches, so you get one word at clause-final position.
Yes. You’d still use a comma, and the main clause verb remains in second position (inversion happens if you front another element):
Bevor wir losfahren, pumpe ich den Reifen auf.
Notice after the comma the verb pumpe comes before the subject ich.
Yes. For example:
- Ich fülle den Reifen mit Luft auf, bevor wir losfahren.
(Here füllen … auf is another separable verb; mit Luft specifies what you’re filling with.) - You could also say aufblasen, but that often implies using a mouth-blowing action or a pump without stressing the mechanical process as much.