Before
Before adverb - So as to precede something in order of time.
Time was
Before and time was are semantically related in earlier topic. You can use "Before" instead an adverb phrase "Time was", if it concerns topics such as in the past, previously in time or order.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- However, it doesn't tell you this, so much time was wasted before realizing you screwed yourself over by letting Pippin get eaten by a dog.
Source: The Problem with Licensed Games -
Camden in My Name Is Earl seems to be stuck in the late '80s or early '90s, even though that time was at least 10-15 years before the start of the series.
Source: Two Decades Behind -
The plot also started up again after a two year timeskip before the crew reunited, which in real time was about how long it had been since they were split apart in the first place.
Source: Time Skip
Cite this Source
Time was and Before. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/time_was
Before & Time was. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/time_was>.
Time was or Before. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/time_was.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "before" and "time was" have occurred on timeline