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Feathersong Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Is it correct to use before or until in this type of sentence?

Hello, I’m wondering if anyone could please answer a question for me. I have spent the past several hours searching for the answer on the internet and have not been able to locate one. My question concerns the usage of the word “before” versus the word “until”. Can you please tell me which word works better in the following sentence: You enter the maze and it is not long before you are lost. OR You enter the maze and it is not long until you are lost. Is there a difference? To me, using “before” sounds better, but is it correct? Or are they both correct? Thanks for your help!
  

Top answer

"Before" is better. "Until" is not exactly wrong, but I feel that it would like a more definite point in time than "you are lost".

— Anonymous

  • "Before" is better.
  • "Until" is not exactly wrong, but I feel that it would like a more definite point in time than "you are lost".
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3 Answers
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"Before" is better. "Until" is not exactly wrong, but I feel that it would like a more definite point in time than "you are lost".

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"(not to be long) before" is almost a fixed set of words.

In comparison, "not long until" is hardly ever seen.

CJ

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Until would be correct, though the distance walked may be different for various people

For example, "He drove his car before/until he ran out of gas."

"Until" would be the correct word.

"Before" is pointing to what he did prior to running out of gas, which is a little redundant. "Until" points to the effect caused by his driving at a definitive point..

In convers

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