Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
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.
Target signal
寝る前に本を読む。
I read a book before sleeping.
The dictionary form 寝る appears before 前に.
Vocabulary notes
- 前に
- before
- 寝る
- to sleep; to go to bed
- 読む
- to read
Compare in context
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.
Vocabulary notes
- した
- did
- 前に
- before
- 勉強
- study; studying
Compare in context
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.
Vocabulary notes
- 日本語
- Japanese language
- たい
- want to do
- した
- did
Section 2 of 3
Using 後で
With verbs, use the plain past form before 後で to mean “after doing.” With nouns, use の before 後で. The action before 後で is already complete.
Target signal
ごはんを食べた後で勉強する。
I study after eating a meal.
食べた shows the eating is finished before the studying starts.
Vocabulary notes
- 勉強する
- to study
- ごはん
- meal; rice
- する
- to do
Preview
仕事の後でスーパーへ行く。
I go to the supermarket after work.
With a noun, 仕事の後で means “after work.”
Vocabulary notes
- スーパー
- supermarket
- 仕事
- work; job
- 後で
- later; afterward
Preview
本を読んだ後で寝る。
I go to sleep after reading a book.
読んだ marks a completed action before 後で.
Vocabulary notes
- んだ
- you know; the thing is; explanatory tone
- 寝る
- to sleep; to go to bed
- 後で
- later; afterward
Section 3 of 3
Read the time order accurately
Do not translate 前に and 後で too early. First check the form before them. Dictionary form usually points to an action that is still ahead, while past form shows an action that is already finished.
Target signal
映画を見る前に水を買う。
I buy water before watching the movie.
The ticket-buying happens before the movie because 見る stays in dictionary form before 前に.
Vocabulary notes
- 前に
- before
- 見る
- to see; to look
- 買う
- to buy
Preview
映画を見た後でコーヒーを飲む。
I drink coffee after watching the movie.
見た before 後で shows the movie is already finished before the coffee.
Vocabulary notes
- コーヒー
- coffee
- 後で
- later; afterward
- 飲む
- to drink
Preview
うちへ帰って、ごはんを食べた。
I went home and ate a meal.
This sentence uses the て-form for sequence, not 前に or 後で.
Vocabulary notes
- ごはん
- meal; rice
- うち
- home; our place
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle