Plusquamperfekt mit "nachdem" – B1 German Grammar

Past perfect with "nachdem"

The conjunction "nachdem" (after) is the typical partner of the past perfect. It links two actions and shows which happened first. There is a fixed tense change:

• nachdem-clause (the earlier action) → past perfect
• main clause (the later action) → Präteritum (or Perfekt)

Being a subordinate clause, the "nachdem"-clause has the verb at the end. If it comes first, the main clause starts immediately with the verb.

Note:

• Two different tenses: past perfect + Präteritum.
• "nachdem" ≠ "bevor" (reversed order).
• Verb in the subordinate clause goes to the end.

Examples:

• Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich spazieren. (After I had eaten, I went for a walk.)
• Nachdem der Film zu Ende war, gingen wir nach Hause. (After the film had ended, we went home.)
• Sie fühlte sich besser, nachdem sie geschlafen hatte. (She felt better after she had slept.)