ere
ere — 介系詞
1. at an earlier point in time than a specific moment, date, or event — used in lit
於…之前
時間上早於某時刻
at an earlier point in time than a specific moment, date, or event — used in literary, formal, or poetic contexts as an alternative to 'before'.
Jessica finished packing ere dawn and set out along the winding road.
Jessica 在天亮前整理好行李，沿著蜿蜒的道路出發了。
preposition: ere + time noun (dawn)
The ancient stone walls were built ere the Roman Empire reached this valley.
這些古老的石牆建於羅馬帝國抵達這片山谷之前。
Nadia promised her grandmother she would return home ere midnight.
Nadia 答應祖母會在午夜前回家。
Chidi believed the old temple had stood there ere recorded human history.
Chidi 相信這座古老的寺廟在有人類歷史記載之前就已存在。
The rare manuscript was copied by hand ere the age of mechanical printing.
這份珍稀的手稿在機械印刷時代來臨之前是以手抄完成的。
- before
neutral, everyday preposition — use in all modern contexts
- after
temporal opposite; neutral register in both speech and writing
文法句型
ere + [time noun / noun phrase]
用法筆記
Frequently occurs in fixed expressions such as 'ere long' (meaning 'soon' or 'before long') and in historical fiction or poetry. Use 'before' in everyday speech and standard writing.
常見錯誤
ere — 連接詞
1. during the time that comes before a particular action or situation happens; earl
在…之先
在另一事件發生前
during the time that comes before a particular action or situation happens; earlier than the moment when something else occurs — typical of literary and historical English.
Liam checked his diving equipment twice ere he descended into the cave.
Liam 在潛入洞穴之前，把潛水裝備檢查了兩次。
conjunction: ere + clause
The villagers would gather at the square ere the festival procession began.
村民們會在節日遊行開始之前聚集在廣場上。
Shanti spoke softly to the orphans ere they fell asleep in the shelter.
Shanti 在孩子們於庇護所睡著之前，輕聲對他們說話。
Mert paused at the heavy oak door ere he entered the great hall.
Mert 在走入大廳之前，於厚重的橡木門前停了一下。
The musicians tuned their instruments carefully ere the concert began.
音樂家在音樂會開始之前仔細地調好了樂器。
- before
standard conjunction meaning the same; use in all modern contexts
- after
opposite temporal relation; also works as a conjunction: 'after [clause]'
文法句型
ere + [subject] + [verb]
用法筆記
Takes a full finite clause (subject + verb), unlike the prepositional sense which takes only a noun phrase. This conjunction use is even rarer in modern English than the prepositional use. Use 'before' + clause in contemporary writing.