before
gb/bɪfˈɔɹ/ us/bɪfˈɔɹ/
A1
Inglese
~ 1600
Accezioni
0 accezioni
preposition
A1
relation
1
Earlier than something in time
Happening earlier than a certain time or event.
Schema d'uso:
before [time/event/action]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'before' with 'ago'; 'before' compares two times, while 'ago' counts backwards from now.
Sinonimi
prior to (More formal and less common in everyday speech.)
Contrari
after (Refers to something happening later in time.)
Collocazioni
before dawn
|before the meeting
|before lunch
|before bedtime
Temi
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- We need to finish this before noon.
- She called me before the party started.
- I always stretch before running.
- He left the office before the boss arrived.
Esempi per chi studia
- I brush my teeth before bed.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- I drink coffee before work.
- He studies before the exam.
conjunction
A2
relation
2
Earlier than another event
Used to say one thing happens earlier than another thing.
Schema d'uso:
[event] before [event]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes omit the subject after 'before' when it is required in formal writing.
Sinonimi
prior to when (Less common and more formal phrasing.)
Contrari
after (Used when one action happens later than another.)
Collocazioni
check before you buy
|think before you speak
|wash before you cook
Temi
time
|daily life
|communication
Esempi
- Think carefully before you decide.
- I had never seen her before I came here.
- Turn off the lights before you leave.
- He knocked before entering the room.
Esempi per chi studia
- Wash your hands before you eat.
- Look both ways before you cross the road.
- Finish your homework before you play games.
- Call me before you come.
adverb
A2
relation
3
At an earlier time
At a time earlier than now or another time mentioned.
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'before' with 'already'; 'already' suggests completion, while 'before' indicates prior occurrence relative to a reference point.
Sinonimi
previously (Slightly more formal; common in writing.)
Contrari
afterwards (Refers to a later point in time.)
Collocazioni
long before
|never before
|seen before
Temi
time
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- I have met him before.
- We spoke on the phone before.
- Never before had I felt so nervous.
- I’ve been here once before.
Esempi per chi studia
- I saw this movie before.
- She was here before.
- I ate there before.
- We met before.
preposition
B1
relation
4
Ahead in position or order
In front of something or someone, or ahead in a list or order.
Schema d'uso:
before [person/object]
Errore comune:
Learners often use 'before' for physical location where 'in front of' is more natural in casual speech.
Sinonimi
in front of ('In front of' is more common for physical space; 'before' can be more formal or literary.)
Contrari
behind (Indicates a position to the rear of something.)
Collocazioni
stand before the judge
|before my eyes
|line up before the door
Temi
location
|space
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- He stood nervously before the audience.
- The number 3 comes before 4.
- She appeared before the committee.
- There were two people ahead of me, but I was before them in the list.
Esempi per chi studia
- The dog is before the house.
- B comes before C in the alphabet.
- He stood before me in line.
- The man is standing before the door.
Grammatica
Forma base
before
IPA
GB/bɪfˈɔɹ/
US/bɪfˈɔɹ/
Sillabe e accento
be - fore (2 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fore)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: before
- Plural: befores
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
before someone's eyes
1/bɪfˈɔɹ sˈʌmwˌʌnz ˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Directly visible to someone
Happening where someone can see it clearly.
Esempi
- The building collapsed right before our eyes.
- Before my eyes, the caterpillar became a butterfly.
think before you speak
1/θˈɪŋk bɪfˈɔɹ jˈu spˈik/
fixed phrase
Consider words before speaking
To stop and think about what you will say so you do not hurt or upset someone.
Esempi
- You should think before you speak to avoid hurting feelings.
- He never thinks before he speaks and often regrets it.
before long
1/bɪfˈɔɹ lˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
Soon; in a short time from now
Not much time will pass before something happens.
Esempi
- Before long, she will be running her own company.
- You’ll hear from them before long.
before long
2/bɪfˈɔɹ lˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
Soon after now or then
In a short time from now or from a mentioned time.
Esempi
- Before long, we were good friends.
- The train will arrive before long.