GRAMMAR DETAIL

前に

before doing

Indicates that the following action occurs before the action or time named first.

Examples

家を出る前に窓を全部閉めた。

I closed all the windows before leaving the house.

寝る前に、明日の予定を確認する。

I check tomorrow's schedule before going to bed.

会議が始まる前に資料を配りました。

We handed out the materials before the meeting began.

Structure: Use 前に after a verb's dictionary form or a noun followed by の to indicate an earlier time.
Basic usage: In 家を出る前に窓を全部閉めた。, closing the windows precedes leaving home.

Dictionary form in a past sentence
- In 出る前に閉めた, 出る remains nonpast even though the final verb is past. Its form presents the relationship of being before the departure.
An event and an interval
- 会議の前に means before a meeting, while 三日前に means three days before the reference point. Do not insert の after the interval 三日.