before
before
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
before: /bɪˈfɔːr/
bi-: /bɪ/
-fore: /ˈfɔːr/
Word Form Variations
"Before" primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction, and as such, it does not typically have singular/plural or other inflectional variations in the same way that nouns or verbs do. It remains "before" regardless of context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: At an earlier time than; preceding in time.
Synonyms: prior to, preceding, earlier than, ere (archaic)
Antonyms: after, following, subsequent to
Definition 2: In front of; in the presence or sight of.
Synonyms: in front of, facing, abreast of, opposite to
Antonyms: behind, after, in back of
Adverb
Definition 1: At an earlier time; previously.
Synonyms: previously, earlier, formerly, heretofore
Antonyms: afterward, later, subsequently
Definition 2: In front.
Synonyms: ahead, in front, forward
Antonyms: behind, astern (nautical), in back
Conjunction
Definition 1: Prior to the time that.
Synonyms: ere (archaic), until (in some contexts, implying a limit)
Antonyms: after, once (when signifying "as soon as")
Examples of Use
Books:
"Never had she seen a sky so vast, stretching out endlessly before her, a canvas of changing blues and grays." (From Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, August 2018)
"The city was a sprawling beast, much larger than he had imagined it to be before arriving."
Newspapers:
"Experts warn that significant policy changes are needed before the economy can fully recover from the recent downturn." (The New York Times)
"The local council debated the proposal for hours before ultimately voting it down."
Online Publications:
"Make sure to clear your browser cache before logging into your account to avoid any technical issues." (Lifehacker.com)
"A comprehensive guide to understanding cryptocurrency before you invest." (Investopedia.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We need to get out of here before it's too late!" (Common line in action/thriller films, e.g., Avengers: Endgame, April 2019)
Television Series: "Have you seen this episode before? It's one of my favorites." (Casual dialogue often heard when discussing TV shows)
Music: "Just like the sun, you know I'll be back again / Before you know it, I'll be here, my friend." (From the song "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, September 1969)
Video Games: "Complete the side quest before engaging the final boss for extra rewards." (Instruction or hint in many role-playing games)
General Public Discourse:
"You should always look both ways before crossing the street." (Common safety advice given to children)
"I need to finish this report before I can leave for the day." (Everyday conversation in a work setting)
"Let's grab a coffee before the meeting starts." (Social arrangement)
"I've never been to Paris before, but I'm really looking forward to it." (Discussing future travel plans)
10 Quotes Using Before
"The darkest hour is just before the dawn." (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist, 1988)
"Look before you leap." (Proverb, commonly attributed to John Heywood, 1546)
"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757 - often rephrased as "Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today before going to bed.")
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world before we can expect others to change." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat before victory." (Winston Churchill, May 1940)
"Eat your frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you all day long." (Mark Twain - often rephrased as "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." implying doing the hardest task before anything else.)
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans before it slips away." (Allen Saunders, 1957)
"It is always darkest just before the dawn." (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732)
"The night is darkest just before the dawn." (Batman, The Dark Knight, 2008)
"Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge them." (Proverb)
Etymology
The word "before" has a long history, going back to Old English. It comes from the Old English word "beforan."
This Old English "beforan" was essentially a combination of two smaller parts:
"be-" (which is related to "by" and means something like "near" or "around")
"foran" (which meant "from the front" or "ahead").
So, when you put them together, "beforan" originally meant something like "in front of" or "in former times" (meaning "earlier in time"). It was used to talk about both position in space and order in time.
The first known uses of "before" (or its Old English ancestor "beforan") are from the Old English period, which is roughly before the year 1150. So, it's a very old word that has been a part of the English language for well over a thousand years, carrying those core meanings of being in front of something or earlier than something.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Before
Before long: Soon; in a short time.
Before your very eyes: Happening right in front of you.
Before its time: Happening too early or prematurely.
Before you know it: Very quickly; unexpectedly soon.
Before all else: Most importantly; above everything else.
Before the ink is dry: Immediately after an agreement or document is signed.
Before the dust settles: Before a situation calms down or becomes clear after an event.
Before the mast: (Nautical idiom) Formerly, a common sailor's quarters in the forepart of a ship.
To put the cart before the horse: To do things in the wrong order.
To get in before the rush: To arrive or do something ahead of a busy period.
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.
