German edit

Etymology edit

From vorzeitig +‎ -keit.

Noun edit

Vorzeitigkeit f (genitive Vorzeitigkeit, plural Vorzeitigkeiten)

  1. the state of being premature
  2. (grammar) pre-timeliness; antecedent

Usage notes edit

  • In grammar, describes the relationship of different grammatical tenses in main and subordinate clauses, in which the action of the subordinate clause takes place before that of the main clause. For instance, in the sentence "Ich schlafe, nachdem ich meine Hausaufgaben gemacht habe." ("I sleep after I've done my homework."), the word nachdem is used to create the pre-timeliness: The subordinate clause ("I've done my homework") takes place before that of the main clause ("I sleep").

Declension edit

Coordinate terms edit

Further reading edit