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Taka Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

ago/before

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00 If I hadn't left the building 20 minutes 11b10ago/before12b10, I would have been involved in the accident. 12blockquote
12br
02br
00 A student of mine was told by another teacher that 'ago' was the correct answer, not 'before'. Well, that seems plausible; it would be my first choice as well. But don't you native speakers think that 'before' might be also possible, depending on its context?0-
  

Top answer

0Hello, Taka,02br 02br 00This is how I feel it. "20 minutes ago" is "20 minutes before 01b 00now02b 00" (the speaker knows what time it is). If you use "20 minutes before", you need some anchor in time that tells 20 minutes before 01b 00when02b 00/01b 00what 02b 00 it happened.

— Pieanne

  • 0Hello, Taka,02br 02br 00This is how I feel it.
  • "20 minutes ago" is "20 minutes before 01b 00now02b 00" (the speaker knows what time it is).
  • If you use "20 minutes before", you need some anchor in time that tells 20 minutes before 01b 00when02b 00/01b 00what 02b 00 it happened.
  • 00 PM.
  • 0-
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16 Answers
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0Hello, Taka,02br
02br
00This is how I feel it. "20 minutes ago" is "20 minutes before 01b00now02b00" (the speaker knows what time it is). If you use "20 minutes before", you need some anchor in time that tells 20 minutes before 01b00when02b00/01b00what 02b00 it happened. So, with "before", you'd have to wri
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0 That's exactly how I see the problem, pieanne: depending on the context 'before' is also possible ('that' of 'before (that)' is optional, right?).02br
02br
00Now. The confirmation by native speakers. 0-
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0 Yes, but you have to mention before "what". 0-
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00 Yes, but you have to mention before "what". 12blockquote
12br
00I know. That's what I mean by 'context'.050010id1
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0OK! 050010id5
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0 01blockquote
01cite10Taka12cite11blockquote
10 If I hadn't left the building 20 minutes 21b20ago/before22b20, I would have been involved in the accident. 22blockquote
22br
10A student of mine was told by another teacher that 'ago' was the correct answer, not 'before'. Well, that seems
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0 01blockquote
00 the moment of speaking 12blockquote
12br
02br
00 I know. But what about the case of 'If I hadn't left the building 20 minutes 01b00before02b00, I would have been involved in the accident'? 02br
02br
00 Is your opinion the same as pieanne, MrP?0-
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0 01blockquote
01cite10Taka12cite11blockquote
10 the moment of speaking 22blockquote
22br
10I know. But what about the case of 'If I hadn't left the building 20 minutes 11b10before12b10, I would have been involved in the accident'? 12br
12br
10Is your opinion the same
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0 01blockquote
01cite10Taka12cite11blockquote
10 the moment of speaking 22blockquote
22br
10I know. But what about the case of 'If I hadn't left the building 20 minutes 11b10before12b10, I would have been involved in the accident'? 12br
12blockquote
10Hello Ta
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0Could you please allow me to add my observation, MrP?02br
02br
00With due respect, I would say your three examples should be differentiated from those sentences with numerical quantifiers before 'before.' When 'before' stands alone, yes, it means nothing more than 'earlier.' However, when it is preceded by numerical quantifiers, 'before' should take another time reference af
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