vorausgehen
to go ahead
To walk or drive ahead of someone or something else in a spatial sense.
EXAMPLE
Gehen Sie nur voraus, ich kenne den Weg und folge Ihnen.
Go ahead, I know the way and will follow you.
vorausgehen
to precede / go ahead
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Meanings
vorausgehen
to precede
To take place or happen before another event in time.
EXAMPLE
Dem Streit war eine lange Phase der Unzufriedenheit vorausgegangen.
The argument had been preceded by a long period of dissatisfaction.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorausgehen' (to precede / go ahead) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'voraus' (ahead / in advance) comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Guide ging der Gruppe im Museum voraus.
The guide went ahead of the group in the museum.
Word structure
The verb is made up of the directional particle 'voraus' (ahead, in advance) and the verb 'gehen' (to go). This structure helps you understand both the spatial and the temporal meaning: something goes or happens before something else.
EXAMPLE
Bitte geh schon mal voraus und reserviere einen Tisch.
Please go ahead and reserve a table.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'vorausgehen' (to precede / go ahead) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), since it describes a movement or a process. This applies to both the spatial and the temporal meaning.
EXAMPLE
Er ist uns vorausgegangen, um den Weg zu prüfen.
He went ahead of us to check the route.
Dative construction
In the temporal meaning, the event that takes place later is in the dative. The sentence structure is often: subject (what happens beforehand) + verb + dative object (what happens afterward).
EXAMPLE
Dem Finale ging ein spannendes Halbfinale voraus.
The final was preceded by an exciting semifinal.
Compare with
vorausgehen vs vorangehen
to go ahead / progress / happen
Vorausgehen and vorangehen can both mean that someone walks physically ahead of others. Vorausgehen mainly describes this position, while vorangehen can also emphasize leading or guiding a group. Use vorausgehen for a neutral sequence and vorangehen when the person is more clearly leading from the front.
vorausgehen
Der Sicherheitsmann ging der Gruppe voraus und prüfte den Weg.
The security guard went ahead of the group and checked the route.
vorangehen
Die erfahrene Bergführerin ging der Gruppe voran und bestimmte das Tempo.
The experienced mountain guide led the group and set the pace.
In real life
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