〜前に

Formationverb (dictionary form) + 前に (noun + の + 前に)

前に puts one action before another, and the verb in front of it stays in the dictionary form no matter when the events happened. That fixed form is the part learners get wrong. With a noun, add の.

Examples

〜前に is marked in each sentence. Tap any word for its dictionary entry.

1. 出でかける前まえに食たべなくてはならない。

   You have to eat before you go.

2. 彼かれは答こたえる前まえにためらった。

   He hesitated before answering.

3. 私わたしは寝ねる前まえに手紙てがみを５通つう書かいた。

   I wrote five letters before I went to bed.

4. 帰かえる前まえに必かならず「帰かえるコール」を入いれてね。

   Be sure to call home before you leave the office.

5. 計量けいりょうする前まえにすりきりしなさい。

   Level off the sugar when measuring out.