before
/bi'fɔ:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Preposition:
- Earlier than: Indicates that something happens prior to a specific point in time or event.
- In front of: Indicates a position ahead of or in the presence of someone or something.
- In preference to; rather than: Used to indicate a choice or preference.
Adverb:
- At an earlier time; previously: Refers to a time in the past.
- In front; ahead: Refers to a position in advance.
Conjunction:
- Previous to the time when: Used to introduce a clause indicating an event that precedes another.
- Rather than; sooner than: Used to introduce a clause indicating a strong preference.
Examples of Usage
Preposition:
- Please arrive before 8 o'clock. (Indicating time)
- She stood before the judge. (Indicating position/presence)
- I would choose tea before coffee. (Indicating preference)
Adverb:
- I think we've met before. (Indicating a previous time)
- The scouts went on before to check the path. (Indicating a position ahead)
Conjunction:
- Finish your homework before you watch TV. (Indicating time sequence)
- He would resign before he agreed to the policy. (Indicating preference)
Advanced Usage
- "Before long": Soon; in a short time.
- The sun will set before long.
- "To have a future/bright future before one": To have promising opportunities ahead.
- With her talent, she has a great future before her.
Variants and Related Words
- Afore-: A prefix meaning "before" (e.g., , ), though now largely archaic or legalistic.
- Fore-: A prefix meaning "before" in time, place, or order (e.g., , ).
Synonyms
- Preposition (time): Prior to, earlier than, preceding.
- Preposition (place): In front of, ahead of.
- Adverb: Previously, earlier, formerly, already.
- Conjunction: Prior to the time that, until.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Constructions)
- Go before: To precede in time or order; to appear in front of an authority.
- Many great leaders have gone before us.
- The case will go before the committee next week.
- Come before: To be presented for consideration or judgment.
- This matter will come before the board.
Related Idioms
- Before you can say Jack Robinson: Very quickly or suddenly.
- He was out the door before you could say Jack Robinson.
- Pride comes before a fall: Being overconfident often leads to failure. (A proverb)
- He was boasting about his success, but pride comes before a fall.
- Carry all before one: To be completely successful; to overcome all obstacles.
- The team carried all before them and won the championship.
Adverb
- at or in the front
- I see the lights of a town ahead
- the road ahead is foggy
- staring straight ahead
- we couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
- with the cross of Jesus marching on before
- earlier in time; previously
- I had known her before
- as I said before
- he called me the day before but your call had come even earlier
- her parents had died four years earlier
- I mentioned that problem earlier