Before and after: how to put events in order
Short answer: Before and after join two events in time order. With before, the event after the word happens later: I wash my hands before I eat. With after, the event after the word happens first: After we ate, we played. Each part needs its own subject and verb. Add a comma when the before or after part comes first.
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At a glance
| Word | What comes first | Example |
|---|---|---|
| before | the event in the main part | I wash my hands before I eat. |
| after | the event after the word | After I eat, I wash my hands. |
| comma rule | comma if the word starts the sentence | Before I eat, I wash my hands. |
In short
- before: the next event comes later. after: the next event comes first.
- Each part has its own subject and verb.
- A comma after a starting before / after part. No so.
What is the rule for “before and after”?
The rule
before and after join two events in time order.
How it looks
event 1 + before + event 2 · After + event 1, event 2
What it means
before: the event after it comes later. after: the event after it comes first.
When to use it
Use them to say what happens in what order.
How it works
- Decide which event happened first and which second.
- Join them with before or after, and give each part its own subject and verb.
- If the before or after part comes first, put a comma after it.
- Use the present for habits and facts (I wash my hands before I eat) and the past for stories (After we ate, we played).
Examples of “before and after”
- I wash my hands before I eat.
First wash, then eat. - After we ate rice, we played outside.
First eat, then play. - Before she drinks milk, she washes her cup.
Wash the cup first. - We put our books away after we read them.
Reading comes first. - I brush my teeth before I go to bed.
Brush first, then bed. - After she finished her homework, she watched TV.
Homework first, then TV. - We left before it started to rain.
We left first, then the rain. - After the lesson ended, the students went home.
The lesson ended first.
Common mistakes with “before and after”
After eat lunch, we played.→ After we ate lunch, we played.
The after part needs its own subject: we.Before I eat, so I wash my hands.→ Before I eat, I wash my hands.
No so with before.Before I go to bed I brush my teeth.→ Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth.
A comma after the starting part.I brush my teeth before go to bed.→ I brush my teeth before I go to bed.
The before part needs its own subject: I.After I will eat, I will play.→ After I eat, I will play.
After after, use the present for the future.
Exceptions: watch out
- The comma
If the before / after part starts the sentence, a comma follows it. If it comes last, no comma.
Before, after, when and while
These four words connect events in time. Choose by the order and length of the events.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| before | earlier than | Wash your hands before you eat. |
| after | later than | Wash your hands after you play. |
| when | at that moment | When the bell rang, we left. |
| while | during a longer action | While I was eating, he called. |
See also: when and while in stories
Check yourself
- Put in order: you wash, then you eat. Use “before”.
Show the answer
Wash your hands before you eat. Wash comes first.
- Put in order: you finish, then you leave. Use “after”.
Show the answer
After you finish, you leave. Finish comes first.
- Fix: “After eat lunch, we played.”
Show the answer
After we ate lunch, we played. The after part needs a subject.
How to practice “before and after”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: before and after
Questions
Can I use “before” and “after” with -ing?
Yes, when the subject is the same: Before eating, I wash my hands. This is a shorter form you will meet later.
Do I use “will” after “after”?
No. Use the present for the future: After I eat, I will play.
Is a comma always needed?
Only when the before or after part comes first.
More Linking Ideas Further rules
- Past continuous: was / were + -ing: was or were + -ing tells what was happening at a time in the past.
- when and while in stories: while goes with the longer action (was / were + -ing). when goes with the short action that interrupts.
- Why we do things: to and so that: To give a reason for an action, use to + the plain action word. so that can be followed by a full idea.
- Describing people with who: who adds information about a person. It takes the place of he or she, so do not say it twice.
- Describing things with that and which: that and which add information about a thing. Do not say the thing twice.
- although and even though: although and even though show that two ideas are different. Do not add but.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G5: Linking Ideas Further. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30