Before and Former

Before

Before adverb - So as to precede something in order of time.

Former and before are semantically related. in earlier topic. In some cases you can use "Former" instead the word "Before" as an adverb or an adjective.

Former

Former adjective - Having been such at some previous time.

Before and former are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Before" instead the word "Former" as an adjective or an adverb.

Nearby Word: formerly

Both words in one sentence

  • Recap / Doctor Who S27 E6 "Dalek" The real kicker is that the latter is long before the Time War, and the former is not long after, over half a dozen incarnations later.
  • Useful Notes / Australian Politics The latter dates back to before the National Party's name change; the former was established in 2008.
  • While Luxaar dissolves, Lao mutates into a montrous chimera, and since he doesn't have control over his body anymore, he requests his former teammates put him out before he destroys the Core.
Cite this Source
Former and Before. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/former
Before & Former. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/former>.
Former or Before. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/former.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "before" and "former" have occurred on timeline