Saksforberedelsen kommer før oversendelsen.

Because -en is the definite singular ending for many common-gender nouns in Norwegian.

• saksforberedelse → saksforberedelsen = the case preparation
• oversendelse → oversendelsen = the forwarding / the submission

So the definiteness is built into the noun, rather than shown with a separate word like the in English.

In Norwegian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun.

So instead of:

• the preparation
• the submission

Norwegian typically uses:

• forberedelsen
• oversendelsen

A separate article such as den is normally added only in certain structures, especially when there is an adjective:

• saksforberedelsen = the case preparation
• den grundige saksforberedelsen = the thorough case preparation

The base form is saksforberedelse.

It is a compound noun:

• sak = case, matter
• forberedelse = preparation

Together, saksforberedelse means something like case preparation or preparation of a case.

Then the definite ending -n / -en gives:

• saksforberedelsen = the case preparation

That -s- is a very common linking element in Norwegian compounds.

So:

• sak
  • forberedelse → saksforberedelse

This -s- does not mean possession here in the same way as English 's. It is just part of how many Norwegian compound words are formed.

You will see this in many other compounds too. It is something learners usually need to get used to, because it is not always predictable from English.

Grammatically, yes: kommer is the present tense of komme.

But in this sentence, it is not about physical movement. Here kommer før means:

• comes before
• happens before
• precedes

So this is a normal way in Norwegian to talk about sequence or order, not actual movement.

Because før and først mean different things:

• før = before
• først = first

In this sentence, the idea is that one thing happens before another thing, so før is the correct word.

Examples:

• Jeg spiser før jeg går. = I eat before I go.
• Jeg spiser først. = I eat first.

Yes. It follows the basic main-clause pattern:

• Subject + verb + other elements

So:

• Saksforberedelsen = subject
• kommer = verb
• før oversendelsen = adverbial phrase

This is completely normal and natural.

You could also rephrase the idea, for example:

• Oversendelsen kommer etter saksforberedelsen. = The submission comes after the case preparation.

That says the same thing from the other perspective.

Both saksforberedelse and oversendelse are common-gender nouns.

That is why you get:

• en saksforberedelse
• saksforberedelsen

and

• en oversendelse
• oversendelsen

If they were neuter nouns, you would expect et in the indefinite singular and usually -et in the definite singular.

Yes, it sounds fairly formal, administrative, or legal/bureaucratic.

Words like:

• saksforberedelse
• oversendelse

belong more to official or procedural language than everyday conversation.

A native speaker would not usually use this kind of sentence in casual speech unless talking about office work, legal procedure, public administration, or similar contexts.

You can, but it sounds more abstract, technical, or headline-like.

The definite version:

• Saksforberedelsen kommer før oversendelsen.

sounds more like it refers to a specific process or established sequence.

The indefinite version:

• Saksforberedelse kommer før oversendelse.

can sound like a general rule stated in a very compressed style, such as in a manual, chart, or heading.

So the definite form is often the more natural full-sentence choice.

Yes, but kommer før is perfectly natural.

Depending on style, you might also see verbs like:

• skjer før = happens before
• går forut for = precedes / goes before (more formal)
• finner sted før = takes place before (formal)

Still, kommer før is simple and idiomatic, especially when describing the order of steps in a process.