Before vs. Until

Many English learners mistake these two prepositions for each other. In this lesson, I'm gonna teach you more. So, join me, will ya?

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of them can be prepositions and subordinating conjunctions. 'Before' can be an adverb too. However, 'before' indicates doing something prior to another whereas, 'until' indicates doing/not doing something up to a certain time.

Differences

'Before' can function as both a preposition of time and place. It can also be an adverb. It mainly signifies that something takes place prior to another event/action. As a preposition of place, it indicates coming before or being in front o something/someone. It can also be a subordinating conjunction. Below, there are examples for you:

It is important that women learn how to be independent before marriage.

Here, 'before' is a preposition of time.

Before she takes the kids to the playground, she must finish her work.

In this examples, 'before' is a subordinating conjunction.

My dog's name was before yours on the list.

Here, 'before' is a preposition of place.

Didn't you say you had attended some horse back riding classes before?

'Until' is a preposition of time. It can also function as a subordinating conjunction. It shows that something was/was not going on up to a certain point in time. However, it indicates that an action was being continued up to a point and it does not take place after that. Look at the following examples for more clarification:

I used to practice ballet an hour every day until last year.

Here, 'until' is a subordinating conjunction.

Do not stop performing until I tell you to.

Here, 'until' is a subordinating conjunction and has connected a dependent clause to an independent one.

Similarities

Both can be prepositions of time and subordinating conjunctions. Look:

I hadn't realized it until you told me.

Before rushing here, it would've been better to relax a bit.

Are They Interchangeable?

Due to their grammatical differences and dissimilar denotative meanings, we cannot use them interchangeably. Compare:

✓ Start working before she arrives.

Here, we are indicating that something must be done prior to something else.

✓ Start working until she arrives.

Here, we are pointing out that something is happening up to a certain time.

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