之前

他們能不能在最後期限之前完成這項工作?
   Can they finish this before the deadline?

股票的價格在股息降低之前下跌,因為股息降低早在預料之中。
   The price of the stock fell before its dividend was reduced, for the reduction had already been discounted.

他拼命地趕在火車開出之前到達車站。
   He did his best to reach the station before the train left.

他拼命地趕在火車開出之前到達車站。
   He did his level best to reach the station before the train left.

他來我們學院任教之前充任過一份日報的主編。
   He edited a daily paper before he came to teach at our college.

接到他平安的消息之前的那段時間,對她似乎是無止盡的漫長。
   It seemed an eternity before news of his safety reached her.

我們搶在偷盜珠寶的圖謀得逞之前將它們轉移了。
   We forestalled the attempt to steal the jewels by having them removed.

我想在客人到達之前,先打個盹兒。
   I want to catch forty winks before the guests arrive.

我們天黑之前到達了目的地。
   We gained our destination before dark.

她以前在考試到來之前總是非常緊張。
   She used to get into a state as exams approached.

我們應該通知他們在星期五之前交上申請書。
   We should give them notice to hand in the applications before Friday.

燒煮之前先把兔子的內臟取出。
   Gut the rabbit before you cook it.

試著在初霜之前採摘水果。
   Try to harvest the fruit before first frost.

但願我們能在六點之前趕到那兒。
   Hopefully we will be there by six.

面試之前,她十分緊張。
   She was all hung-up before the interview.

帳單須在本月底之前全部付清。
   The bill must be paid in full by the last day of this month.

白人到達之前,澳大利亞僅有土著居住。
   Before the arrival of the white man, Australia was inhabited solely by Aborigines.

已經預訂一間九月份起使用的房間。在此之前,會議在我家舉行。
   A room has been booked from September onwards. In the interim meetings will be held at my house.

小孩子在能走遠之前先要學會保持平衡。
   A little child has to learn to keep its balance before it can walk far.

他們告訴我們競選結束之前遮蓋住那份報告。
   They told us to keep a lid on the report until the campaign was over.