0
Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

What does 'before' mean here?

Hi,
Here is two girls' conversation:
girl 1: My boyfriend dumped me last week. (she's very sad)
girl 2: That sort of thing has happened to me before.

I would like to know what 'before' means here?

Thank you very much.
  

Top answer

girl 2: That sort of thing has happened to me before. It has happened to m in the past. ie before now.

— Clive

  • girl 2: That sort of thing has happened to me before.
  • It has happened to m in the past.
  • ie before now.
  • Clive
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
girl 2: That sort of thing has happened to me before.

It has happened to m in the past. ie before now.

Clive
0
0
Hi Clive,

1. It has happened to me before.
2. It has ever happened to me.

Can I use sentence2 to mean sentence1 in the same context?

Thank you very much.
0
0
AnonymousCan I use sentence2 to mean sentence1 in the same context?
No. 'Ever' appears in questions and negative statements only.
0
0
1. It has happened to me before.
2. It has ever happened to me.

Can I use sentence2 to mean sentence1 in the same context?
No.
But you can make a negative by saying It has never happened to me.

Clive
0

Related Questions