because / before / after

because / before / after means “Joining sentences: because (reason), before / after (order of events)”. Because gives a reason: I stayed home because I was tired. Formation: A because B · before/after + S + V

Joining sentences: because (reason), before / after (order of events)

A1

Formation

A because B · before/after + S + V

Explanation

Because gives a reason: I stayed home because I was tired. Before and after put two events in order: Wash your hands before you eat. After we had dinner, we watched a movie. Like when-clauses, these parts can come first (with a comma) or second (no comma).

Examples

I stayed home because I was tired.
Wash your hands before you eat.

Note

Because answers Why...? questions. Before/after can also take just a noun: before lunch, after school.

FAQ

because / before / after — what does it mean and how is it used?

Joining sentences: because (reason), before / after (order of events). Because gives a reason: I stayed home because I was tired. Before and after put two events in order: Wash your hands before you eat. After we had dinner, we watched a movie. Like when-clauses, these parts can come first (with a comma) or second (no comma).

because / before / after — how do you form it?

A because B · before/after + S + V

because / before / after — any usage notes?

Because answers Why...? questions. Before/after can also take just a noun: before lunch, after school.

Related grammar

Learn in the app →