10 Connectors
Grammar
Connectors – Linking and Sequencing Expressions
When narrating a series of events, it is useful to have some linking expressions on hand.
| firstly | primero | next/then | luego |
| so/therefore | entonces/así que/por eso | finally | por fin/finalmente |
| beforehand | antes | before | antes de + infinitive OR + noun |
| afterwards | después | after | después de + infinitive OR + noun |
| but | pero | also | también |
| at least | por lo menos |
Using Antes and Después
Antes = before(hand) Después = After(wards)
eg: Por la tarde veo la televisión, pero antes, hago los deberes. (In the afternoon I watch TV, but beforehand, I do homework).
Por la tarde hago los deberes y depués, veo la televisión. (In the afternoon I do homework and afterwards I watch TV).
NB: The use of the comma is crucial!
Antes de/Después de + noun = before/after (the)
eg: Antes del almuerzo, pongo la mesa. (Before lunch I set the table).
Después de la cena, lavo los platos. (After dinner I do the dishes).
Antes de/Después de + infinitive = before/after (doing something)
eg: Antes de almorzar, pongo la mesa,/Pongo la mesa antes de almorzar. (Before having lunch I set the table/I set the table before having lunch).
Después de poner la mesa, almuerzo./Almuerzo, después de poner la mesa. (After setting the table, I have lunch/I have lunch, after setting the table).
Exercises A
Ej 1 Translate the following expressions.
Action 1: jugar al fútbol Action 2: ducharse
- I play football. Afterwards, I have a shower.
- I have a shower. Beforehand, I play football.
- After playing football, I have a shower.
- Before having a shower, I play football.
Action 1: cepillarse los dientes Action 2: acostarse
- She brushes her teeth. Afterwards, she goes to bed.
- She goes to bed. Beforehand, she brushes her teeth.
- After brushing her teeth, she goes to bed.
- Before going to bed, she brushes her teeth.