before

before


Pronunciation

/bɪˈfɔːr/ or /bɪˈfɔː/ (depending on whether the 'r' is pronounced, which is common in non-rhotic accents)

  • bi-: /bɪ/ (or /bə/ in rapid speech)

  • -fore: /fɔːr/ or /fɔː/


Word Form Variations

"Before" does not typically have variations in the way that nouns (singular/plural), verbs (tenses), or adjectives (comparative/superlative) do. It largely remains constant in form.



Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Preposition

  1. Earlier than in time; prior to.

    • Example: She arrived before noon.

    • Synonyms: prior to, preceding, earlier than, in advance of

    • Antonyms: after, following, subsequent to

  2. In front of (someone or something); in the presence of.

    • Example: He stood before the judge.

    • Synonyms: in front of, facing, abreast of, opposite

    • Antonyms: behind, after (in position)

  3. In preference to; rather than.

    • Example: He chose to go home before attending the party.

    • Synonyms: rather than, in preference to, sooner than

    • Antonyms: after (in preference)

Adverb

  1. At an earlier time; previously.

    • Example: I've seen that movie before.

    • Synonyms: previously, earlier, formerly, in the past

    • Antonyms: after, later, subsequently

  2. In front; ahead.

    • Example: The path stretched out before them.

    • Synonyms: ahead, in front, onward, forward

    • Antonyms: behind, in the rear, backward

Conjunction

  1. Prior to the time when (something happens).

    • Example: Always look both ways before you cross the street.

    • Synonyms: prior to the time that, until (in some contexts)

    • Antonyms: after, once (in the sense of "as soon as")


Examples of Use

Books:

  • "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

  • "I'd never seen such a beautiful sunset before." (Common descriptive phrasing in fiction)

Newspapers:

  • "The government announced a new policy initiative before the parliamentary session concluded." (The Guardian, headline or news report, often seen in political coverage)

  • "Residents were advised to evacuate their homes before the storm made landfall." (The New York Times, weather or disaster report)

Online Publications:

  • "Here's what you need to know before buying your first home." (Forbes.com, article title on personal finance)

  • "Scientists discover new planet, smaller than Earth, orbiting a star 100 light-years away – a find never seen before." (Space.com, science news article)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

  • Film: "Never before has such a compelling story been told on screen." (Movie trailer narration or critical review)

  • Television (Dialogue): "You should have thought about that before you made such a rash decision." (Common line in drama series)

  • Music (Song Title): "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood, popular country song)

  • Video Games (Quest Log/Dialogue): "You must defeat the Goblin King before you can enter the ancient ruins." (Dialogue or quest objective in fantasy RPGs)

  • Podcasts (Host Commentary): "We'll dive into our main topic right after this short break, but before that, a quick word from our sponsor." (Podcast host transition)

  • Social Media (User Post): "Just finished my workout! Feeling great before I head to work." (@fitnesslover, Instagram caption)

General Public Discourse:

  • "Let's grab a coffee before the meeting starts." (Everyday conversation, coordinating plans)

  • "I need to finish this report before the deadline." (Workplace discussion, emphasizing urgency)

  • "Have you ever been to this restaurant before?" (Social interaction, asking about past experiences)

  • "Think before you speak." (Common idiom or piece of advice)



10 Famous Quotes Using Before

  1. "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." (Proverb, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin as "Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.")

  2. "The darkest hour is just before the dawn." (English Proverb)

  3. "Look before you leap." (English Proverb)

  4. "Many a long journey begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu, though often paraphrased to use "before" such as "The longest journey begins with a single step before you can finish it.")

  5. "And miles to go before I sleep, / And miles to go before I sleep." (Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening")

  6. "Before everything else, get organized. If you're organized, you're halfway there." (Lee Iacocca)

  7. "Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes." (Native American Proverb)

  8. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, a metaphorical use of "before" implying a state of being prior to external influence, often rephrased as "Be yourself before anything else.")

  9. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." (Eleanor Roosevelt, often implying one must believe before the dream can manifest)

  10. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela, the act of "rising" implying it happens after a fall but before remaining down)


Etymology

The word "before" has a long history, going back to the very roots of the English language.

It comes from the Old English word "beforan". This Old English word was actually a combination of two smaller parts:

  • "be-": This part is similar to the "by" we use today and implies "near" or "around."

  • "foran": This part meant "in front" or "at the front." It's related to the word "fore" (as in "forehead" or "foremost").

So, "beforan" literally meant something like "by the front" or "in front."

When it first appeared in Old English (which was before the year 1150), "beforan" was used to describe two main ideas, much like "before" is today:

  1. Earlier in time: Something happening prior to another event.

  2. In front of in space: Something located ahead of something else.

Over centuries, as the English language evolved, "beforan" slowly changed into our modern "before," but its core meanings have stayed remarkably consistent. It's a great example of how words can keep their original sense for a very long time!



Phrases + Idioms Containing Before

Common Phrases and Idioms:

  • Before long: Soon; in a short time.

  • Before one's very eyes: Happening in front of someone, often unexpectedly or surprisingly.

  • Before you know it: Very quickly; almost instantly.

  • Before its time: Too early; not yet appropriate or fully developed for the present.

  • Before anything else: As a top priority; above all else.

  • Before all else: (Similar to 'before anything else')

  • Beforehand: In advance; at an earlier time. (Often used as a single word adverb, but derived from the concept).

  • To put the cart before the horse: To do things in the wrong order. (Uses the concept of "before" indirectly by highlighting incorrect sequence).

  • To go before: To precede; to come earlier or be positioned in front.

  • To stand before (someone/something): To be in the presence of or face something/someone.

Lesser-Known/Supplementary Phrases & Idioms (or with Synonyms for Similar Effect):

  • Before the ink is dry: Almost immediately after something is signed or agreed upon.

  • Before the dust settles: Before a situation calms down or is fully resolved.

  • In advance of: Before something happens. (Synonym for "before" used in a phrase).

  • Prior to: Before. (Synonym for "before" used in a phrase).

  • Earlier than expected: A situation occurring before the anticipated time.


Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA


Source Information

Definition of before from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.


KIRU

KIRU is an American artist, author and entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, New York. He is the Founder of KIRUNIVERSE, a creative enterprise home to brands and media platforms in business + strategy, mental wellness, the creative arts and more.

https://www.highaski.com
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