before

be|fore [ bı`fɔr ] function word ***

Before can be used in the following ways:

as a conjunction (connecting two clauses):

Think carefully before you choose.

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

We'll finish the project before Christmas.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

I'd met him once before.

1. ) earlier than a particular time

a ) earlier than a particular time, event, or action:

She regularly goes for a run before breakfast.

The others had gotten there before us.

Won't you have another drink before you go?

I joined the police in 1999. Before that I was in the army.

Two weeks before the election the first reports of the scandal began to appear.

before doing something: You should seek legal advice before signing anything.

b ) at a time in the past:

Haven't we met somewhere before?

Never before in modern history has one nation dominated the world so completely.

c ) the day/week/weekend etc. before the previous day/week/weekend etc.:

She mentioned a TV show she'd watched the night before.

d ) the day before yesterday/the week before last etc. two days/weeks etc. ago:

Curry quit playing football the season before last.

e ) used for saying how much time passes until something happens:

Several years went by before I realized that David had lied to me.

2. ) when something is prevented used for saying that something happens that prevents someone from doing what they intended:

Before I could think of a reply she walked away.

3. ) used in warnings or threats SPOKEN used for warning someone that something bad may happen unless they do something:

Clean up that mess before your father sees it.

You'd better go away before I lose my temper.

4. ) for someone to consider or watch

a ) FORMAL used for saying that something or someone is judged or considered by a group of people:

The case went before a grand jury on December 17th.

The question before us is whether we should allow a foreign government to control our commerce.

b ) FORMAL used for saying that something is happening where people can watch it:

The team scored an impressive victory before 76,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium.

5. ) in front of or earlier than someone/something

a ) if one place is before another place on your trip, you come to it first:

Our house is just before you get to the end of the road.

A few miles before the border we were stopped at an army checkpoint.

b ) FORMAL in front of someone or something:

Lawrence knelt before the king.

Before the temple gate stood a bronze statue of Buddha.

c ) used for saying that something is placed earlier than something else in a list or series:

The names are in alphabetical order, so Barnes should come before Brown.

6. ) in the future MAINLY BRITISH FORMAL used when saying what will happen in someone's future:

A promising career stretched out before him.

You're still young you have your whole life before you.

=> AGO