beforehand / in advance
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beforehand
Means 'vorher' (beforehand) or 'im Voraus' (in advance); before something happens. The expression is used to express that something should be clarified, completed, or known before a specific event.
Vielen Dank im Vorhinein für Ihre schnelle Antwort.
Many thanks in advance for your quick reply.
The word 'vorhinein' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'im Vorhinein' (in advance/beforehand). It is an alternative wording for 'im Voraus' (in advance) or 'vorher' (beforehand).
Man hätte das Problem im Vorhinein erkennen müssen.
One should have recognized the problem beforehand.
As an adverbial phrase, 'im Vorhinein' can stand at the beginning of a sentence, which requires inversion (verb before subject). But it can also be placed in the middle of the sentence.
Im Vorhinein wusste niemand, wie kompliziert die Aufgabe werden würde.
Beforehand, nobody knew how complicated the task would become.
The expression 'im Vorhinein' is often used in written language and in formal contexts such as emails or official letters. A very typical use is 'Vielen Dank im Vorhinein' (many thanks in advance).
Wir möchten Sie im Vorhinein darüber informieren, dass die Veranstaltung ausfällt.
We would like to inform you in advance that the event has been canceled.
beforehand
'vorher' and 'im Vorhinein' both mean that something happens before a specific event. 'vorher' is very general and fits almost any everyday situation. 'im Vorhinein' is a fixed expression and sounds a bit more planned: you clarify, know, or take care of something before things get started. The two can often be used in similar ways. If you simply mean the sequence of events, 'vorher' is more natural. If you want to emphasize that something is arranged in advance, 'im Vorhinein' fits especially well.
Die Kosten müssen im Vorhinein klar besprochen werden.
The costs need to be discussed clearly in advance.
Ruf mich bitte vorher an, damit ich zu Hause bin.
Please call me beforehand so that I’ll be at home.