Adverbs antes and después are used to make temporal references. They can be translated into English as before and after, respectively.
Using Después and Antes
Rule 1. Antes is used to indicate that one action was performed prior to another.
Spanish
English
Compré este vestido antes de salir.
I bought this dress before going out.
Rule 2. Después is then used to indicate that an action was performed when another action had already taken place.
Spanish
English
Me fui a dormir después de terminar mi trabajo.
I went to sleep after finishing my work.
The Adverbs Después and Antes Form
Rule 1. These prepositions are almost always accompanied by the preposition de. Remember that the preposition de + el contracts to del.
Spanish
English
Ellos se fueron justo antes de partir el pastel.
They left just before cutting the cake.
Después de que termines tu tarea, ¿puedes venir?
After you finish your homework, can you come over?
Rule 2. These adverbs can be preceded by a noun.
Spanish
English
Después del evento, fuimos a cenar.
After the event, we went to dinner.
Rule 3. They can be preceded by a verb in the infinitive form.
Spanish
English
Antes de comer, vamos a dar las gracias.
Before lunch, let's say grace.
Rule 4. When used with a verb in the subjunctive, the combination después/antes de is accompanied by que.
Spanish
English
Se fueron justo antes de que llegaran.
They left just before you arrived.
Quiz
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____________ (after) de clases vamos a tomar un café.
0
correct answers.