antes (de) que and despues (de) que

Question

Hello!

This question is about the "de" used in the expressions "antes (de) que" and "despues (de) que."

I frequently see these phrases with the "de" in brackets like it appears in the title of this question.

I haven't yet found a good explanation about whether there are certain times that it is appropriate to use "de" in these expressions, or whether using "de" within these expressions is merely a preference. I have seen people say it is a preference, that one is more correct than the other, and that the presence of "de" is required under certain grammatical circumstances and not others. Clearly, only one of these explanations can be accurate.

So, my question then is when, if ever, is "de" necessary within these expressions?

thanks,

Answer 1

Jack-OBrien,

Thanks for your response, but that is not quite what I'm asking. I know that there is a difference between "despues de" and "despues (de) que," and the difference between them is clear enough. The question, however, is whether "de" is necessary, and if so in what capacity, within the two expressions "despues (de) que" and "antes (de) que"

Notice that even in your example you chose "despues que" rather than "despues de que," and so my question is why that choice was made.

I'll also mention that usually the phrases "despues (de) que" and "antes (de) que" require the subjunctive. So, the question is within the context of subjunctive phrases.

I'm even a little confused by your example: "me iré después que tú (I'll leave after you)." This phrase sounds like awkward Spanish to me, but admittedly I'm no expert.. The same with "Nos vemos después (see you later)," 'in which I would expect "luego" rather than "despues." Your example seems more like "I'll see you afterward" referring to a specific event rather than just "I'll see you later on." But I could be totally wrong about all of that. That's just the way it seems to me. Like I said, I'm no expert at all.

I hope that clarifies the question a bit if I was unclear.

Answer 2

Well, I haven't had any one really answer this question for me, but I was doing some more searching and I think I found the answer.

In a footnote at the bottom of a chart on this site it says that,

Notes: 1) Where de is given in parentheses above, it is optional; that is, the conjunction before may be expressed as antes que or antes de que

and again someone else on this site explains that,

Finally, antes de que (or antes que, a regional variation used the same way), functions as a subordinating conjunction, which indicates the connection between one event and another and is followed by a noun and a verb (or a verb where the noun is implied)

So, it would seem that it truly is a matter of preference. I suppose that, if it really is a regional variation, one way might sound more natural to a native speaker depending on where they are from.

If anyone has an objection or better explanation here, it is very welcome. Thanks.

I can't contribute anything to the topic but I wanted to say great structuring of your posts and thoughts. It's a pleasure reading them :) - Manity, May 11, 2013

Answer 3

I'm not a grammar expert, but this is what I know:

If I'm saying after doing something - después de ('de' is required)
después de llamarte
después de comer voy a hacer algo....
etc, etc..... However, if I'm talking in the sense of doing something later, I can say
me iré después que tú (I'll leave after you)

In my mind it depends on whether you're trying to say "after" or "later"

Nos vemos después (see you later)
Nos vemos después de la reunión (see you after the meeting)

The same concept goes for "antes" - Jack-OBrien, May 9, 2013

That's good, although you can find the whole help in the following place http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=queísmo - chileno, May 11, 2013

you will have to copy and paste and a lot of Spanish... ;) let me know if you have any problems with it. - chileno, May 11, 2013

Answer 4

It's always 'antes de' but you can choose between 'antes que' and 'antes de que'.

Answer 5

Después de + Verb. - Después de cenar .

Antes de + Verb - Antes de trabajar.

I don't think this is related to the actual question. Thanks anyway, though. - patt177, May 11, 2013