以前/以后 and 前/后: Before and After in Chinese
（在）……以前/以后/前/后
以前, 以后, 前, and 后 follow the event or noun that supplies their reference time. The completed time phrase can then appear before the main action. 以前 and 以后 readily follow clauses, while shorter 前 and 后 commonly follow compact nouns or verb-object events such as 下课.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Event / Noun + 以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后 + Main clause
Read the structure
以前, 以后, 前, and 后 follow the event or noun that supplies their reference time. The completed time phrase can then appear before the main action. 以前 and 以后 readily follow clauses, while shorter 前 and 后 commonly follow compact nouns or verb-object events such as 下课. Keep the model Event / Noun + 以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后 + Main clause visible while you compare each sentence.
在来中国以前，我只会说几句中文。
Before coming to China, I could speak only a few sentences of Chinese.
Choose the right context
Place one event before another: 在来中国以前，我只会说几句中文。 Place one event after another: 吃完晚饭以后，我们去散步。 Use a compact reference with 前 or 后: 下课后我给你打电话。
吃完晚饭以后，我们去散步。
After dinner, we will go for a walk.
Respect the boundary
Do not place 前 or 后 before the event that provides its reference point. Do not split a verb-object event by inserting 以后 between its verb and object. Do not use 的时候 when the intended relation is specifically before or after rather than during an event.
我运动应该前热身。
(I exercise should before warm up.)
Repair the pattern
The postposition 前 is placed before the event it should follow: 前 follows its reference event, so 运动前 must stay together before the main predicate 应该热身. 以后 splits the verb 吃完 from its object 午饭: The complete reference event is 吃完午饭. 以后 follows that whole event and cannot separate its verb from its object.
我运动前应该热身。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
在来中国以前，我只会说几句中文。
Before coming to China, I could speak only a few sentences of Chinese.
在
Event / Noun
This part occupies the Event / Noun position in the model pattern.
来
以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后
This part occupies the 以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后 position in the model pattern.
中国
Main clause
This part occupies the Main clause position in the model pattern.
以前
Event / Noun
This part occupies the Event / Noun position in the model pattern.
，
以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后
This part occupies the 以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后 position in the model pattern.
我只
Main clause
This part occupies the Main clause position in the model pattern.
会说
Event / Noun
This part occupies the Event / Noun position in the model pattern.
几
以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后
This part occupies the 以前 / 以后 / 前 / 后 position in the model pattern.
句
Main clause
This part occupies the Main clause position in the model pattern.
中文
Event / Noun
This part occupies the Event / Noun position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
在来中国以前，我只会说几句中文。
Before coming to China, I could speak only a few sentences of Chinese.
吃完晚饭以后，我们去散步。
After dinner, we will go for a walk.
下课后我给你打电话。
I will call you after class.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Place one event before another: 在来中国以前，我只会说几句中文。
- Place one event after another: 吃完晚饭以后，我们去散步。
- Use a compact reference with 前 or 后: 下课后我给你打电话。
Do not use it when
- Do not place 前 or 后 before the event that provides its reference point.
- Do not split a verb-object event by inserting 以后 between its verb and object.
- Do not use 的时候 when the intended relation is specifically before or after rather than during an event.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我运动应该前热身。
我运动前应该热身。
The postposition 前 is placed before the event it should follow
前 follows its reference event, so 运动前 must stay together before the main predicate 应该热身.
我吃完以后午饭去散步。
我吃完午饭以后去散步。
以后 splits the verb 吃完 from its object 午饭
The complete reference event is 吃完午饭. 以后 follows that whole event and cannot separate its verb from its object.
我运动应该前热身。
前 follows its reference event, so 运动前 must stay together before the main predicate 应该热身.
我吃完以后午饭去散步。
The complete reference event is 吃完午饭. 以后 follows that whole event and cannot separate its verb from its object.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with （在）……以前/以后/前/后.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with （在）……以前/以后/前/后. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
以前/以后 and 前/后: Before and After Questions
Do 以前 and 以后 go before or after their reference event?
They follow it: 来中国以前 and 吃完饭以后. The complete time phrase then frames the main clause.
When can I use the shorter 前 and 后?
They commonly follow compact references such as 上课前, 运动前, 下课后, and 晚饭后.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 2 grammar inventory, item 47 (A.2.3): (在)...以前/以后/前/后
Supports placement in HSK 2; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 42, sections 42.1-42.5, pages 288-294
Shows that 以前 and 以后 follow their reference clause, distinguishes before from after, and contrasts these sequence markers with 的时候.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
年 / 月 / 日；点 / 分Clock and Calendar Order
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Compare this lesson with 以来 closing a time span that extends to the reference point; both belong to calendar time, boundaries, and elapsed spans, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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