Uses of "Antes", "Antes de", "Después", "Después de", "Cuando"

Choose the structure: “de + infinitive” or a conjugated verb

• Antes de / Después de + infinitive = one action is the “reference point”.
• Antes / Después (without de) + conjugated verb = you start a new clause (often like “then / afterwards”).
• Cuando + conjugated verb = “when/whenever”, a time or situation.

Quick decision guide (self-check)

1. Do you have 1 verb or 2 verbs?
   • 1 verb after the time expression → use antes / después + conjugated verb.
   • 2 verbs (two actions) → often use antes de / después de + infinitive for the “reference action”.
2. Is the second part a “situation” (whenever)?
   • Use cuando + conjugated verb.

Common mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)

• Don’t mix “de” with a conjugated verb:
  • Antes de salgo de casa → Antes de salir de casa…
  • Después de me cepillo los dientes → Después de cepillarme los dientes…
• Don’t drop “de” if you want an infinitive:
  • Antes salir → Antes de salir
  • Después comer → Después de comer
• Don’t use an infinitive after “cuando”:
  • Cuando tener prisa → Cuando tengo prisa…

Infinitive with “me/te/se/nos/os” (very common in routines)

In daily routines, the action is often reflexive (wash myself, brush my teeth). In Spanish, attach the pronoun to the infinitive.

Meaning difference: “Antes” (previously) vs “Antes de” (before doing)

• Antes = “earlier / in the past” (often a contrast with now)
  • Antes trabajaba en un bar. (Before/Previously, I worked in a bar.)
• Antes de = “before doing something” (chronological order)
  • Antes de ir al trabajo, tomo un café. (Before going to work, I have a coffee.)

Mini checklist: did you build the sentence correctly?

• I used de + infinitive after antes de / después de.
• I used a conjugated verb after antes / después / cuando.
• If it’s reflexive, I attached the pronoun: lavarme, ducharme, cepillarme.
• The order matches the meaning: antes de = first, después de = later.