2. before 意为“在……之前”,引导时间状语从句时,表示主句的动作发生在从句的动作之前。例如:
We cleaned the classroom before we left
school yesterday.昨天离开学校之前,我们打扫了教室。
He had been a cook before he went to
college . 他上大学前曾当过厨师。
after 意为“在……之后”,引导时间状语从句时,表示主句的动作发生在从句的动作之后。例如:
After you use plastic bags, you mustn't
throw them about. 你(们)用过了塑料袋之后,不准到处乱扔。
He called me after he had finished his
work. 他在工作完之后给我打了个电话。
注:若主句和从句两个动作发生的先后顺序十分接近,那么也可以不用完成时态,例如上面的第二句可改成:He
called me after he finished his work.