---
title: "Advanced Temporal Clauses: Sequence and Time — German grammar B2"
description: "Choose temporal connectors by uniqueness, repetition, parallel action, beginning, endpoint, and sequence."
canonical: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence"
lang: "en"
learning_language: "de"
cefr_level: "B2"
updated: "2026-07-11"
alternates:
  en: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence.md"
  fr: "https://cefra.app/fr/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence.md"
  pl: "https://cefra.app/pl/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence.md"
  ru: "https://cefra.app/ru/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence.md"
---

# Advanced Temporal Clauses: Sequence and Time

[Cefra](https://cefra.app/en.md) › [German](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de.md) › [Grammar](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar.md) › [B2](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2.md) › Advanced Temporal Clauses: Sequence and Time

Choose temporal connectors by uniqueness, repetition, parallel action, beginning, endpoint, and sequence.

Last updated: July 11, 2026

## Advanced use

**Als** marks one past event; **wenn** marks routines and one event in the present/future. **Während** links parallel actions. **Bevor/ehe** mentions the later action first, whereas **nachdem** introduces the earlier action and must be one tense level earlier. **Seitdem** begins in the past and continues, **bis** sets an endpoint, **sobald/sowie** an immediate start, **solange** equal duration, and **sooft** every repetition. The finite verb is final.

| Function                       | German example                                                                       |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| wenn: routine                  | Wenn ich koche, kommt die Katze.                                                     |
| wenn: present/future once      | Wenn der Zug ankommt, rufe ich an.                                                   |
| als: one past event            | Als der Zug ankam, regnete es.                                                       |
| während: parallel              | Während ich bügle, höre ich Radio.                                                   |
| bevor/ehe: later action first  | Bevor ich schlafe, putze ich die Zähne.                                              |
| nachdem: earlier time level    | Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich spazieren.                                      |
| bis: endpoint                  | Ich lese, bis der Zug kommt.                                                         |
| seitdem: past start continuing | Seitdem ich hier wohne, fahre ich Rad.                                               |
| sobald/sowie: immediate start  | Sobald ich ankomme, schreibe ich dir.                                                |
| solange: coextensive duration  | Solange ich arbeite, bleibt das Handy aus.                                           |
| sooft: every occurrence        | Sooft er anruft, freue ich mich.                                                     |
| minimal pair                   | Als ich gestern kochte, klingelte es. / Wenn ich früher kochte, kam die Katze immer. |

## Exercises

[Start practice](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-temporal-clauses-advanced-sequence/practice)

1. Sort the words into groups (1 task)
2. Fill the gaps with words from the bank (1 task)