Before another event in Spanish

The idea

After antes de que, use the subjunctive for the later event. With the same subject, antes de plus an infinitive is often possible.

Examples

• Cierra la puerta antes de que entre el gato.Close the door before the cat comes in.
• Prepararemos la cena antes de que lleguen los invitados.We will prepare dinner before the guests arrive.
• Guarda el pan antes de que se seque.Put the bread away before it dries out.
• Salimos antes de que empezara la lluvia.We left before the rain started.
• Llamé antes de que cerraran la oficina.I called before the office closed.
• Apaga la luz antes de salir.Turn off the light before leaving.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative after antes de que, even when the later event actually happened.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form: Riega las plantas antes de que ___ el sol. (salga / sale)

   Show answer or example answer

   salga

   salga refers to the sun rising after the watering.

2. Choose the correct form: Enviaré el mensaje antes de que tú ___. (salgas / sales)

   Show answer or example answer

   salgas

   salgas addresses the person leaving after the message.

3. Choose the correct form: Lavamos los platos antes de que ellos ___. (volvieran / volvían)

   Show answer or example answer

   volvieran

   volvieran locates their return after the past washing.

Use it today

Write one action you will do before someone else arrives.