Antes locates an event earlier than another event or time.

The idea

Use antes alone for earlier and antes de before a noun or infinitive.

Examples

  • Reviso el billete antes de viajar.I check the ticket before traveling.
  • Ana llega antes de la reunión.Ana arrives before the meeting.
  • Antes preparo el mensaje y luego llamo.I prepare the message first and then call.
  • Antes del desayuno bebo agua.Before breakfast, I drink water.
  • Antes la tienda cerraba temprano.The shop used to close early.
  • Antes de salir, cierro la puerta.Before leaving, I close the door.

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Watch out

Before el, de contracts with it: antes del desayuno.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the preposition before the infinitive: Reviso el billete antes ___ viajar. (de / a)

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    de

    Antes de introduces the infinitive viajar.

  2. Choose the word for the later action: Primero preparo el mensaje; llamo ___. (después / antes)

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    después

    Después places the call after preparing the message.

  3. Choose the word matching the arrival time: La reunión empieza a las diez y Ana llega a las nueve: llega ___. (antes / después)

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    antes

    Nine is before ten, so Ana arrives antes.

Use it today

Describe what you do before a trip and when you arrive.