What is the difference between these words: 之前/之后 and 以前/以后? I’m still struggling to understand the difference and when to use which.
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Answers · 2
2
I feel their meanings have no big difference, just that 之前/之后 are more formal and written.
In daily life, 以前/以后 are enough.
2
之前/之后 mentions a particular event, point.
今年6月我高中毕业，之后我去读大学。（高中毕业典礼后的某一天开始，我去一所大学上学）
面试这份工作之前，我还在上学。（在这个面试发生之前的时间，我还没有毕业，需要去学校上课）
以前/以后 refers to a particular period of time.
18世纪以前，没有汽车。（18世纪和18世纪以前的时间里，汽车不存在）
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