How to use 以前
以前，⋯⋯
以前 can establish an earlier period without specifying an exact date. Place it before the subject or between the subject and predicate. It provides a time frame for former habits, states, relationships, or events. The verb itself stays unchanged, even when English requires a past tense to express the same meaning.
A following clause about the present often makes a change especially clear, though such a contrast is not required. Choose negatives and aspect markers according to what the predicate means; a past time frame does not turn every 不 into 没. In other constructions, 以前 follows a named reference time or event to mean “before” it, so watch its position carefully.
Examples with pinyin and English
以前我不会说中文。
Before, I could not speak Chinese.
你以前住在哪儿？
Before, where did you live?
以前我不认识他。
Before, I didn't know him.
以前他是我们的客户吗？
Was he our client before?
What to remember
- Place 以前 before the main predicate.
- Use it for an unspecified earlier period.
- Choose negation by meaning, not time alone.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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