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richard
What is the difference between antes de and antes que ?
I have just read the following sentence in a book and cannot understand why the author used the words "antes que" rather than "antes de"
Mercedes y Enrique han vuelto antes que su padre
Any explanations would be appreciated
Richard
Many thanks to you both for answering my question. It is much appreciated
Richard
Mar 12, 2017 2:15 PM
Answers · 4
1
Volvieron antes que su padre (sustantivo)
Volvieron antes de las 12 / antes del medio dia (tiempo)
2
Antes de ir-te dame un abrazo (infinitivo)
Antes de que te vayas, dame un abazo (subjuntivo presente)
3
En la fila hay 5 personas antes que yo (pronombre personal)
En la fila hay 5 personas antes de mi (pronombre de objeto directo)
March 17, 2017
I am not a linguist but as a Spanish speaker and based on everyday usage, I understand that "antes que" is used to precede a subject, and "antes de" is used to precede a situation or verb (an act).
March 14, 2017
Hola Richard
Antes que is comparing an action between Mercedes y Enrique and her/his father, between two or more nouns For instance: lávate las manos antes que tu hermano
Antes de indicates one action goes before another one. For instance: lávate las manos antes de comer.
Anyway you can find as well antes de que, and there is a kind of argument if that is correct or not, but it is at the moment, and many people say it. In this case it comes with subjutive, Come algo antes de que te vayas.
I am sure there will be a good explanation from a teacher soon.
March 12, 2017
Antes de = "before (something)" en inglés
Por exemple:
Te llamare ANTES DE el mediodia = I will call you before (the) noon.
Antes que = "rather than" en inglés
Por exemple:
En inglés, decimos "I have a red apple every morning" ANTES QUE "I have an apple red every morning. = In English, we say "I have a red apple every morning" rather than "I have an apple red every morning."
March 12, 2017
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richard
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
Spanish
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