antes

/ahn-tess/

A timeline showing one event happening before another, indicating the past.

Here, 'antes' means 'before' or 'in the past.' The person is packing their suitcase *before* the trip shown in the picture.

antes (Adverb)

before?in time

Also:previously?referring to a past state,formerly?in the past,first?in order of actions

📝 In Action

Yo vivía en Madrid antes.

I lived in Madrid before.

Antes, los teléfonos no tenían internet.

Previously, phones didn't have internet.

Piénsalo bien antes.

Think about it well first.

Related Words

Synonyms

previamente (previously)
antiguamente (in old times, formerly)

Antonyms

después (after, later)
luego (then, later)

Common Collocations

cuanto antes – as soon as possible
mucho antes – long before
poco antes – shortly before

Idioms & Expressions

antes que nada – first of all, before anything else

💡 Grammar Points

Stands on its Own

You can use 'antes' all by itself at the end of a sentence to mean 'before now' or 'in the past.' For example, 'No lo había visto antes' (I hadn't seen it before).

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Comparisons

A great way to use 'antes' is to compare the past with the present. For example: 'Antes leía mucho, pero ahora no tengo tiempo.' (I used to read a lot before, but now I don't have time.)

A person looking at a menu before ordering their food, showing an action preceding another.

The phrase 'antes de' means 'before' doing something or 'before' an event. This person is reading the menu *antes de* ordenar (before ordering).

antes (Prepositional Phrase)

before?used as 'antes de + thing/action'

📝 In Action

Lávate las manos antes de comer.

Wash your hands before eating.

Llegué a la oficina antes de las nueve.

I arrived at the office before nine o'clock.

Revisa el coche antes del viaje.

Check the car before the trip.

Related Words

Antonyms

después de (after)

💡 Grammar Points

Two Simple Patterns

The phrase 'antes de' is almost always followed by one of two things: a noun (like 'la clase') or the basic, unchanged form of a verb (like 'comer').

Verb Form Stays Basic

When you use a verb after 'antes de', it always stays in its original '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form. Don't change its ending! It's 'antes de salir', not 'antes de salgo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Changing the Verb Ending

Mistake: "Me cepillo los dientes antes de duermo."

Correction: Me cepillo los dientes antes de dormir. The verb after 'de' must be in its original, infinitive form ('dormir').

⭐ Usage Tips

Giving Instructions

This phrase is perfect for giving instructions or talking about routines. Think about your day: 'Tomo café antes de trabajar.' (I have coffee before working.)

Someone closing a window as storm clouds gather, an action taken before an impending event.

Use 'antes de que' for 'before' when the person doing the action changes. Here, one person closes the window *antes de que* llueva (before it rains).

antes (Conjunction)

before?connecting two parts of a sentence with different subjects

📝 In Action

Llámame antes de que te vayas.

Call me before you go.

Tenemos que terminar antes de que lleguen los invitados.

We have to finish before the guests arrive.

Esconde el regalo antes de que ella lo vea.

Hide the gift before she sees it.

Related Words

Antonyms

después de que (after)

💡 Grammar Points

When People Change, Verbs Change

Use 'antes de que' when the person doing the first action is different from the person doing the second. For example, 'Yo me voy (I'm leaving) antes de que tú llegues (before you arrive).'

A Special Verb Form (Subjunctive)

The verb that comes after 'antes de que' needs a special ending. This is called the subjunctive. It shows that the second action hasn't happened yet. For example, 'sales' becomes 'salgas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Special Verb Form

Mistake: "Termina la tarea antes de que tu madre llega."

Correction: Termina la tarea antes de que tu madre llegue. Because the subjects are different ('tú' and 'tu madre'), the second verb needs to change to its special subjunctive form.

Using 'que' Unnecessarily

Mistake: "Voy a comer antes de que salir."

Correction: Voy a comer antes de salir. If the person doing both actions is the same (I am going to eat, I am going to leave), you don't need 'que'. Just use 'antes de' + the basic verb.

⭐ Usage Tips

Think 'To Prevent'

Often, 'antes de que' is used to describe doing something to prevent something else from happening. 'Cierra la puerta antes de que entre el perro.' (Close the door before the dog comes in.)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: antes

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence is correct? 'I need to leave before my brother arrives.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

anteayer(the day before yesterday) - adverb

antelación(advance notice, anticipation) - noun

antepasado(ancestor) - noun

anterior(previous, prior) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the simple difference between 'antes de' and 'antes de que'?

It's all about who is doing the actions! If the same person does both things, use 'antes de' + the basic verb (e.g., 'Como antes de salir' - I eat before I leave). If two different people are involved, you must use 'antes de que' + a special verb form (e.g., 'Como antes de que tú salgas' - I eat before you leave).

Can I just say 'antes' at the end of a sentence?

Yes, absolutely! It's very common. Saying 'Ya lo hice antes' means 'I already did it before.' It implies 'before now'.