Before: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in general contexts to indicate that an event or action happened earlier than another.

• She arrived before the meeting started.
• Wash your hands before eating.

Commonly used in formal or legal contexts to mean something happened earlier than a specific event.

• All documents must be submitted prior to the deadline.
• She had lived in the city for years prior to the move.

Typically used in more formal contexts to indicate something happening earlier than a planned time or event.

• We need to complete the preparations in advance of the conference.
• He studied hard in advance of the exam.

Usually used in formal or written contexts to refer to something happening right before another event or in a sequence.

• The chapter preceding this one is equally important.
• The day preceding the holiday was extremely busy.

This word can also be used in a more formal or literary context to mean 'in the presence of' or 'in front of.'

• He stood before the judge to hear his sentence
• She bowed before the king

This is used to describe something that occurred earlier in a more distant past and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• She had previously worked at the same company
• I didn't know her previously

Use this to describe something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. It often has a more formal tone.

• She was formerly known as Miss Smith
• The building was formerly used as a factory

This is used to describe something that happened previously, but within a day or a short timeframe in the past.

• I saw him earlier this morning
• Earlier, she mentioned about the meeting