Grammar: Before and After

Study Notes

Before and After

Before: Used to indicate an action occurring prior to a specified time or event.
- Conjunction: Joins two clauses; usually precedes the verb.
- Preposition: (1) Earlier than; (2) in the presence of.
- Adverb: Indicates a time prior to a specific moment:
  - Present Perfect: Action completed before the current time.
  - Past Perfect: Action completed before another past action.
  - Uses with time expressions: Relates action to a past point in time.
After: Used to indicate an action occurring subsequent to a specified time or event.
- Preposition: Followed by a noun (e.g., after dinner).
- Conjunction: Connects two clauses.
- Adverb: Describes time in relation to another time. (e.g., "I came in one hour after him.")

Connectors

Connectors: Adverbial conjunctions that link sentences, arguments, and ideas.
- Past Tense: A long time ago, in ancient times, not long ago, in former times, formerly, in the old days.
- Present Tense: Nowadays, currently, at present, at the present time, now, these days, in this day and age.
- Example/Reason: In addition, what's more, furthermore, moreover, besides this, also.
- Truth: To tell the truth, in fact, actually. (Note: actually is sometimes confused with currently.)
- Unexpected Information: All the same, still, even so, regardless.
- Aspect: Fortunate, unhappy, or unlucky circumstances. (e.g., fortunately, unfortunately, sadly, happily).
- Conclusion: Therefore, consequently, thus, as a result.
- Quality/Comparison: In the same way, similarly, on the other hand, in contrast, anyway, likewise.
- Possibility: Obviously, surely, indeed, apparently, possibly, undoubtedly.

Verb "Need"

Semi-modal verb: Can act as a modal (e.g., expressing obligation) or a main verb (stating a requirement).
- Main verb: "I need water."
- Modal/auxiliary verb: "I need to sleep more." (The modal need clarifies the intention behind needing sleep.)
Affirmative: Common in sentences with negative pronouns (e.g., nobody needs...)
Negative: Forming the negative form: "You needn't worry." (Commonly used in negative sentences expressing no obligation.)
Interrogative: Formal context, very emphatic need. (e.g., "Need they to join us?")
Uses: Expressing no obligation, no past obligation, or unnecessary actions in the past.

Verb "Wish"

Expresses desire: For a situation that is not currently true or will not be true in the future.
- Alternatives to "was": Use "were" in all cases.
- Wish + could: Expresses possibility, desire for the present or future.
- Wish + would: Desires that someone/something alter behavior (rarely for personal wishes.)
- Past perfect: Express regret for actions in the past, or hypotheses leading to different outcomes.
- Infinitive: To express "would like" (formal)

Adjectives

-ed adjectives: Describe how a person feels (e.g., tired, bored). They always follow "to be."
-ing adjectives: Describe qualities or conditions of things, places, or objects (e.g., tiring, interesting). They also follow "to be."
Differences: Past feelings use -ed, permanent qualities use -ing adjectives.

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs: Two-word phrases (verb + adverb or verb + preposition) which have a different meaning than the original verb.
- Types: Intransitive, transitive separable, transitive inseparable, multiple inseparable particles.
- Examples: work out, look back, pay back, turn into, bring in, burn out, come in, fall down, get back, cheer up, find out, hang on, look out, pass away, think back.

Description

Test your understanding of the grammar concepts surrounding 'before' and 'after'. This quiz covers their uses as conjunctions, prepositions, and adverbs, as well as their functions in constructing coherent sentences. Enhance your grasp of connectors through engaging questions.