before

Meanings

1. 1prepositiontransitive

   Earlier than a particular time, event, or point in a sequence.

   Grammar: Takes a noun or pronoun object: before the meeting, before me.

   Patterns

   • before a time
   • before an event
   • before doing something

   Please arrive before noon so we can start on time.

   She had never seen the ocean before that summer.

   Wash your hands before eating.

2. 2prepositiontransitive

   In front of someone or something in position, order, or rank.

   Grammar: Takes a noun object; often used for physical position or importance.

   Patterns

   • before someone
   • before something
   • come before something

   The letter K comes before L in the alphabet.

   A large crowd stood before the palace gates.

   Safety comes before speed in this job.

3. 3conjunction

   Introducing a clause that says something happens earlier than another event.

   Grammar: Joins two clauses: before you leave, call me. The clause after 'before' often uses the present tense for future meaning.

   Patterns

   • before someone does something
   • before something happens

   Before you go, please turn off the lights.

   She read the whole report before she made a decision.

   It will be dark before we reach the campsite.

4. 4adverb

   At an earlier time; in the past.

   Grammar: No object; usually comes after the verb or at the end of a clause.

   Patterns

   • have done something before
   • seen something before

   I've met her before, but I can't remember where.

   We had visited that museum twice before.

   Have you ever been here before?

Common combinations

before long

Before long, the rain stopped and the sun came out.

the day before

We packed the car the day before our trip.

before your eyes

The whole scene unfolded before my eyes.

before it's too late

Let's fix the roof before it's too late.

Synonyms and how they differ

prior to

More formal than 'before' and used mainly in writing or official contexts.

ahead of

Often used for schedules or competition, e.g. ahead of schedule; less common for simple time order.

in front of

Used for physical position only, not for time.

Opposites

Commonly confused: before or ago? before or until?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “before”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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