Before and After: 前に / 後で

Place actions in time clearly by using 前に and 後で with verbs and nouns.

Use dictionary form + 前に for actions done before something.Use past form + 後で for actions done after something.Read the form before 前に or 後で first so the time order becomes clear.

Guided study

Using 前に

With verbs, use the dictionary form before 前に to mean “before doing.” With nouns, use の before 前に. The action before 前に has not happened yet at that point in the sentence.

寝る前に本を読む。

I read a book before sleeping.

The dictionary form 寝る appears before 前に.

試験の前に勉強した。

I studied before the test.

With a noun like 試験, use の before 前に.

日本へ行く前に日本語を勉強したい。

I want to study Japanese before going to Japan.

行く前に stays in dictionary form, and したい carries the desire meaning.

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