'We were preparing (the) lunch, we had started few minutes <u>before/earlier </u>, when he arrived and...'<br/><br/>1)Could you please tell me which one is correct (<u>before</u> or <u>earlier</u>)? If none is correct could you suggest a more suitable time expression?<br/><br/>2) Do we usually <u>prepare lunch</u> or <u>the lunch?</u><br/></br></br>Thank you for your help<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>