Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[puzzle]

Dear teachers,
Can you tell me the differences between "earlier" & " before"?

Forty years ________, as a little boy sitting at the table. Nana had always taken the meat on my plate and cut it into small pieces so I could eat it.
A. earlier B. before
Which is the best answer? Thank you very much!

[lotus]

Forty years earlier, as a little boy sitting at the table, Nana had always taken the meat on my plate and cut it into small pieces so I could eat it.

Earlier is the better choice.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda