Before
Adverb, Preposition
UK
/bɪˈfɔː/
US
/bɪˈfɔːr/
Definition
(prep) : Earlier than another event or in front of something/someone.
(adv) : At an earlier time.
(adv) : At an earlier time.
Example
"(prep) : Wash your hands before dinner."
"(prep) : He stood before the mirror and fixed his tie."
"(adv) : Don't you remember that we've read this before?"
Explanation
“Before” is used to talk about something happening earlier in time or placed in front of something. As a preposition, it shows that one event happens earlier than another or that something is in front of something else. As an adverb, it is used alone to say that something happened earlier without needing an object. For example, “I’ve been here before” means at an earlier time, while “Wash your hands before dinner” uses it as a preposition.