Which one should you use?
Use avant when followed by a noun or an adverb, but use avant que when followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb. If the subject of both clauses is the same, it is more natural to use avant de followed by an infinitive rather than avant que with a conjugated verb.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
précédemment is a formal alternative to avant used to convey the idea of "previously" or "earlier."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Canada, devant can be used to express "before" in certain contexts. In France, Belgium and Switzerland, avant-hier can be used as a specific term for "the day before yesterday."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjunction avant que must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a.vɑ̃ kə/ and has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the indicative mood after avant que instead of the required subjunctive.
Did you know?
- The word avant is the root of the French word avantage, which literally means 'having the lead' or 'being before' others.
- The word avant shares its roots with the English word 'avant-garde', which refers to things that are 'forward' or at the forefront of a movement.
- The 'que' in avant que is actually a descendant of the Latin 'quid', which means 'what', but it evolved to function as a grammatical connector.
Examples in context
- Avant que tu manges ?Before eating?This sentence uses avant que to ask a question about an action.Tatoeba #9926220 by Micsmithel, translation #9853821 by NurseMeeks
- Il mourut avant que j'arrive.He died before I arrived.This sentence shows avant que used to describe a sequence of events.Tatoeba #1472224 by sacredceltic, translation #1471381 by CK
- Je t'appellerai avant que je parte.I'll call you before I leave.This sentence demonstrates avant que used to express an action that will occur before another.Tatoeba #6004975 by Fabimoto, translation #6004802 by kiseva3
- Je dois partir avant 8 heures.I have to leave before 8 o'clock.
- L'étudiant a fini son examen avant la fin du temps imparti.The student finished his exam before the deadline.
- Il avait déjà reçu des instructions précédemment.He had already received instructions earlier.
- Viens me voir avant qu'il ne parte!Come see me before he leaves!
- Il faut ranger la cuisine avant que maman ne rentre.We need to tidy the kitchen before mom gets back.
- Je vais prendre une douche avant de sortir.I am going to take a shower before going out.
- Attends un instant avant de réagir.Wait a moment before reacting.
- Il est arrivé avant-hier matin.He arrived the day before yesterday morning.
- J'ai rencontré Jeanne avant-hier soir.I met Jeanne the day before yesterday evening.
- 157 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are planning a meeting.
- LucasJe finirai le rapport avant que tu reviennes.I will finish the report before you come back.
- ChloéC'est parfait, merci Lucas.That's perfect, thank you Lucas.
- LucasVeux-tu m'aider avant que ce soit trop tard ?Do you want to help me before it is too late?
- ChloéOui, je peux t'aider maintenant.Yes, I can help you now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “before” translations and entries avant que, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avant, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
