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Christine Christie Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Before

Does the use of the preposition (?) 'before' make sense in this context:


"If you make a mistake before your masters, they will think that's natural; but if you make a mistake before students, they will think you don't know enough."



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THANK YOU.

  

Top answer

) 'before' make sense in this context: Yes, but be aware that "before" meaning "in the presence of" is formal to the point of being ceremonial.

  • ) 'before' make sense in this context: Yes, but be aware that "before" meaning "in the presence of" is formal to the point of being ceremonial.
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3 Answers
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Christine ChristieDoes the use of the preposition (?) 'before' make sense in this context:

Yes, but be aware that "before" meaning "in the presence of" is formal to the point of being ceremonial.

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Christine Christie"If you make a mistake before your masters, they will think that's natural; but if you make a mistake before students, they will think you don't know enough."

I read "before" here as "in front of".

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I assume you mean "before" in the sense "in front of". Technically "before" is correct, but in this context it feels like a literary or perhaps even slightly old-fashioned usage that some people might find confusing or hard to understand. I wouldn't completely recommend it, though opinions may vary.

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