Linking Events in French with avant que and après que
Learn to connect two events in French using avant que (before) and après que (after), with correct verb forms and word order for elementary learners.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, you can link two events with a time clause instead of listing them with first/then. The two key connectors are avant que (before) and après que (after). Each one introduces a subordinate clause and has its own verb rules. This lesson shows you how to build these clauses accurately, including when to use the subjunctive and when to use the indicative.
By the end, you can…
- link two events in French using avant que and après que.
- choose the correct verb form after each connector.
- describe a simple daily sequence using time clauses.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Après que j'ai mangé, je suis parti.
After I ate, I left.
ah-PREH kuh zhay mahn-ZHAY, zhuh swee par-TEE
Après que + indicative (here passé composé). Standard in most contexts; in careful writing, the event after après que is presented as factual.
Avant que je parte, je ferme la porte.
Before I leave, I close the door.
ah-VAHN kuh zhuh PART, zhuh FEHRM luh PORT
Avant que + subjunctive (parte). Use this when the second event has not happened yet or is uncertain.
Elle est arrivée avant que nous finissions.
She arrived before we finished.
el ay tah-ree-VAY ah-VAHN kuh noo fee-nee-SYOHN
Avant que + subjunctive (finissions). The subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause can differ.
Nous sommes partis après qu'il a téléphoné.
We left after he called.
noo sohm par-TEE ah-PREH keel ah tay-lay-foh-NAY
Après que + indicative (a téléphoné). This presents his call as a real, completed event.
Avant de partir, je bois un café.
Before leaving, I drink a coffee.
ah-VAHN duh par-TEER, zhuh bwah uhn kah-FAY
When the subject is the same in both clauses, French usually prefers avant de + infinitive, not avant que + clause.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use après que + indicative when the second event is presented as real: Après que tu es rentré, nous avons dîné. Use avant que + subjunctive when the event is still pending or viewed as not yet realized: Avant que tu rentres, appelle-moi. If both clauses share the same subject, use avant de + infinitive: Avant de sortir, je prends mon manteau. This avoids an awkward subordinate clause.
When to use it
Choose a time clause when you want to show the order or relationship between two events, not just list them. Compare: D'abord j'ai mangé, puis je suis parti (first/then) with Après que j'ai mangé, je suis parti (after-clause). The time clause makes one event depend on the other. Use avant que when the second event has not happened yet: Avant que le film commence, achète les billets. Use après que for a completed prior event: Après que le film a commencé, nous sommes entrés.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais avant que le train parte ?
What do you do before the train leaves?kess-kuh too feh ah-VAHN kuh luh tran PARTJ'achète un café avant que le train parte.
I buy a coffee before the train leaves.zhah-SHET uhn kah-FAY ah-VAHN kuh luh tran PARTEt après que tu es arrivé, qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
And after you arrived, what do you do?ay ah-PREH kuh too ay tah-ree-VAY, kess-kuh too fehAprès que je suis arrivé, je vais à l'hôtel.
After I arrived, I go to the hotel.ah-PREH kuh zhuh swee zah-ree-VAY, zhuh veh ah loh-TELA little context goes a long way
In everyday spoken French, après que is sometimes followed by the subjunctive, especially in casual conversation, but careful usage and most reference grammars recommend the indicative. In Quebec and Belgium, you may hear slightly different rhythms and preferences, but the indicative after après que remains the standard written norm. Avant que always takes the subjunctive in standard French.
One thing to watch for
Using the subjunctive after après que: Après que je sois parti, il a téléphoné.
Try this instead: Use the indicative after après que: Après que je suis parti, il a téléphoné. The subjunctive is standard after avant que, not après que.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Complete: Avant que tu ___ (partir), dis-moi au revoir.
Show a sample answer
partes
Avant que requires the subjunctive: que tu partes. The event (your leaving) has not happened yet.
2Complete: Après que nous ___ (manger), nous sommes sortis.
Show a sample answer
avons mangé
Après que takes the indicative: nous avons mangé. The meal is presented as a real completed event.
3Rewrite with avant de: Je ferme la porte. Je pars.
Show a sample answer
Avant de partir, je ferme la porte.
When the subject is the same in both clauses, use avant de + infinitive. Avant que je parte is possible but less idiomatic here.
Use avant que + subjunctive for a pending event, après que + indicative for a real event, and avant de + infinitive when the subject is the same in both clauses.
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