“before”的常见错误用法

错用 "before"常会产生误会。一次某同学在作文中写道：
We had our summer holidays before we had the final examination¹.

在我们期终考试前，我们先放了暑假。

上面的句子，从语法角度看，完全正确。但按情理，我们通常是选先考试，后放暑假的。这个同学犯的错误与前面的班长所犯的错误一样。他的原意是："我们放暑假前，期终考试了。"但因受中文句子的结构影响，他把"前"用 "before"代替，代入句子，结果写出不合情的句子。 他的句子应写为：

Before we had our summer holidays, we had the final examination. OR: We had the final examination before we had our summer holidays.

我们放暑假前，期终考试了。

留意 "before" 所引导的从句(Clause)是叙述后发生的事情。 "before"亦可用于句子中间，后面引导的从句(Clause)仍是用叙述后发生的事情。

(1) Before Tom leaves home for school, his mother checks his school bag. = Tom＇s mother checks his school bag before he leaves home for school.

汤姆离家上学前，他母亲总为他检查书包。

(2) Before I give my answer, I will ask you some questions. = I will ask you some questions before I give my answer.

在我没有作答前，我要先问你几个问题。


short Quiz²:

Rewrite³ the following sentences using before.

1. After I took a hot bath, I went to bed.

2. After she had finished her homework, she went to bed.

3. John＇s father died. Then Johe was born.

4. He had been very self-confident until he failed in his business.