Learn English - LESSON 9 - How to express BEFORE - DURING - AFTER in English

In my previous lesson,

I talked about using English tense to express time.

Today we will look at the way we show the order or sequence in which things might happen or appear.

This lesson relates to expressing 'before', 'during', and 'after'.

There is normally an order to expressing how things occur.

Quite often we will need to express how those things will happen,

are happening, or have happened.

First we will look at expressing ‘before’.

When we want to show when something happens,

there is normally a point where we have to start.

Of course, that normally relates to the beginning.

The first thing that happens is the start.

We can describe it as the first instance, or occurrence.

The first thing comes before everything else.

To begin is to start off.

You begin a journey.

You start a new job.

The first thing you do in the morning is the start of your day.

You might start or begin a speech or a conversation with one or more people.

Of course, before starting something, there might be a period of preparation,

when plans are made and decisions are also made.

So it is possible to start planning for something before it even begins.

It is done in advance.

It is common for some type of preparation to be carried out

before a large project is agreed to, or undertaken.

We might also express ‘before’ when showing the order in which things happen.

One thing occurs before the other.

The flash of lightning came before the rumble of thunder.

On a list of items, the order of importance is often noted,

with each number showing how necessary each item is.

One being the most important

and ten being the least important.

So the item at number five comes before number six

because it is viewed as more important.

If you want to show that one thing is happening at the same time as something else.

Then we will say ‘during’.

One or more things are occurring at the same time.

During the walk, it started to rain.

During the afternoon, I like to take a nap.

During the winter, I normally stay in the house.

Expressing ‘during’ means ‘also at the same time’.

He fell asleep during my performance.

As one thing was happening, another thing was also occurring.

You might plan to do something during a certain period of time.

During this meeting we will talk about our plans for next year.

During my spring break, I will take on a part time job.

You can express ‘during’, when discussing past events.

Things you are doing now, or plans you have for the future.

Then we have ’after’ which expresses the occurrence of something following the previous thing.

The first person walks into the room and I go in after.

So the word ‘after’ shows what follows And what is next.

After a meal, you might have a cup of coffee.

The meal comes before the coffee,

and the coffee comes after the meal.

An activity following something done, comes after the event.

After the show, you will go home.

Showing the order of a list of items or events,

often involves expressing ‘after’.

We can also use ‘follow’

as a way of expressing ‘after’.

You might follow someone after they have finished their performance.

You will give your performance after they have finished theirs.

A person might follow someone from a distance.

They are following the person’s steps.

They are going after someone.

The final thing always comes after what has already happened.

The final thing is the last thing.

It comes after everything else.

It is... the end.

So to recap,

I will see you <i>before</i> the party.

I will see you <i>during</i> the party.

I will see you <i>after</i> the party.

When we look at the order of things,

the first thing comes before.

It is the previous thing.

The following thing comes after.

It is next.

The final thing comes at the end.

It is last.