Before vs. Beforehand

before prepositions of time

This time, we're gonna delve into the differences between 'before' and 'beforehand'. Are you ready? Still interested in learning? Brilliant.

"Before" vs. "Beforehand" in the English Grammar

What Is Their Main Difference?

'Before' and 'beforehand' are different in both parts of speech and meaning. 'Before' can be an adverb, a preposition, and a conjunction, whereas, 'beforehand' is an adverb.

Differences

'Before' can have several different functions. It means 'previous to', 'sooner than' and 'in front of' something/someone. It can be a preposition of time and place, an adverb of time, and a subordinating conjunction, connecting a dependent clause to an independent one. Below, there are examples for you:

Before going back to shop, try to take some deep breaths so as to control your anger.

Here, 'before' is a subordinating conjunction.

He could've asked my opinion before taking an action.

Here, 'before' is again a subordinating conjunction.

Before the wedding, she told me something mind-blowing.

Here, 'before' is a preposition of time.

Kneel before the Queen, Sarah.

Here, 'before' is a preposition of place.

Don't worry, Harry has done it before.

Here, 'before' is an adverb of time.

'Beforehand' can only function as an adverb. It is used to indicated something did/did not happen in advance. Look:

When making dinner, remember to call me beforehand.

Every time she had ballet class, she used to come down here beforehand.

Similarities

They can both be adverbs. Look:

Couldn't you tell me before?

They were so religious that they always prayed beforehand.

Are They Interchangeable?

Since these words have completely different parts of speech, if we use them interchangeably, the whole sentence will be grammatically incorrect. 'Before' can be a preposition, an adverb, a subordinating conjunction, whereas, 'beforehand' can only be an adverb. Compare:

✓ It's better to think about the pros and cons before acting on it, you know.

X It's better to think about the pros and cons beforehand acting on it, you know.

As you can see here, the sentence is grammatically wrong.

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