Learn English - LESSON 9 - How to express BEFORE - DURING - AFTER in English

Summary

This lesson explains how to express the order and sequence of events using the terms 'before,' 'during,' and 'after.' The script covers how to use these terms to describe when something happens, including the start of an event, simultaneous occurrences, and what follows another event. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the flow of events in both everyday life and in structured contexts such as lists or plans. Through examples and clear explanations, the lesson helps learners grasp how to express time relationships effectively in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 'Before' is used to express when something happens earlier or as preparation for something else.
• 😀 You begin or start things before they occur, like starting a journey or a new job.
• 😀 'Before' can also refer to a period of planning and preparation that happens in advance of an event.
• 😀 When expressing 'before,' it shows the order of occurrence, like one event happening before another.
• 😀 'During' is used to show events happening at the same time as something else.
• 😀 You can say 'during' to describe simultaneous actions, like taking a nap during the afternoon.
• 😀 'During' can describe current events, past actions, or future plans.
• 😀 'After' shows the occurrence of something that follows another event, like having coffee after a meal.
• 😀 'After' can also express the sequence of events in a list, showing what follows the previous thing.
• 😀 'Follow' can be used interchangeably with 'after' to show what comes next or happens following another event.
• 😀 A good way to summarize is: the first thing happens before, the following thing happens after, and the final thing is last, at the end.

Q & A

What does the word 'before' express in the context of this lesson?

'Before' expresses something that happens prior to another event, indicating the start point or the first thing in a sequence.

Can we use 'before' to describe preparation for an event?

Yes, 'before' can also refer to preparations made in advance, such as planning or decision-making before an event or action starts.

How is 'during' different from 'before' and 'after'?

'During' expresses that two or more things are happening at the same time, whereas 'before' and 'after' describe events occurring in sequence.

Give an example of how 'during' can be used to describe simultaneous events.

An example of 'during' would be, 'During the walk, it started to rain,' meaning that both events happened at the same time.

Can 'during' be used to describe events in the past, present, and future?

Yes, 'during' can refer to things happening in the past, present, or future, such as 'During the meeting, we discussed the plans' or 'During my spring break, I will work part-time.'

What does 'after' signify in terms of sequence?

'After' indicates something that happens following another event, showing the order in which events take place.

How can we express the sequence of events in a list using 'after'?

In lists, 'after' can show the order of importance or occurrence, such as 'You will give your performance after they finish theirs.'

Can you explain the difference between 'after' and 'follow' in the context of sequence?

'After' expresses what happens next in a sequence, while 'follow' indicates that one event happens as a result or consequence of another, like 'You might follow someone after their performance.'

What is the final event in a sequence, and how is it expressed?

The final event in a sequence is always the last one, and it comes after all the previous events. It marks the end of the sequence.

Can we use 'before', 'during', and 'after' to describe a single event or sequence of actions?

Yes, these terms help to express the timing and order of events. For example, 'I will see you before the party, during the party, and after the party.'