French grammar explained
Avant de vs avant que in French
Both expressions mean “before,” but they introduce different grammatical structures. The choice becomes simple when you identify who performs each action: use avant de + infinitive when the subject stays the same, and avant que + subjunctive when the actions have different subjects.
The simple subject test
avant de + infinitive
Nous préparons nos questions avant de participer au cours.
avant que + subject + subjunctive
Nous préparons la salle avant que les élèves arrivent.
| Structure | Who performs the actions? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| avant de + infinitive | The same person or thing | Elle lit avant de dormir. |
| avant que + subjunctive | Two different subjects | Elle lit avant que les enfants s’endorment. |
| avant + noun | No second verb | avant le dîner |
When should you use avant de?
Use avant de + infinitive when the subject of both actions is the same. The infinitive does not state its subject because it is understood from the main clause.
I close the windows before going out.
The same person closes the windows and goes out: je.
We reread the message before sending it.
Nous performs both actions. The object pronoun l’ belongs to envoyer; it does not change the subject.
What happens before a vowel?
De becomes d’ before a vowel sound or silent h.
Think before accepting this proposal.
Where do object and reflexive pronouns go?
They come immediately before the infinitive.
She gets ready before logging in.
When should you use avant que?
Use avant que when the clause after “before” has its own subject. The verb in that clause is in the subjunctive.
Call me before you leave.
The implied subject of appelle is tu, and the subject of partes is also tu. So why not use avant de? Because the natural same-subject version would be Appelle-moi avant de partir. Both sentences are correct here, but avant de partir is more economical. Avant que tu partes can add emphasis to the explicit subject.
We will finish the work before the client arrives.
Nous will finish; le client will arrive. The different subjects require a full clause.
Why does avant que take the subjunctive?
The action after avant que has not happened at the reference point. It is anticipated rather than presented as an established fact. Standard French therefore uses the subjunctive.
| Infinitive | Subjunctive form | Example after avant que |
|---|---|---|
| partir | tu partes | avant que tu partes |
| venir | elle vienne | avant qu’elle vienne |
| faire | vous fassiez | avant que vous fassiez un choix |
| être | il soit | avant qu’il soit trop tard |
| avoir | nous ayons | avant que nous ayons les résultats |
Does après que work the same way?
No. In careful standard French, après que normally takes the indicative because the action is presented as completed or factual: Après qu’il est parti, nous avons fermé la porte. Many speakers use the subjunctive by analogy, but it is not the standard rule. This contrast is another reason not to learn avant que and après que as identical pairs.
What does the ne mean in avant que tu ne partes?
In formal or literary French, you may see an optional ne explétif after avant que.
Let’s leave before it starts raining.
This ne does not make the sentence negative. There is no pas, and the meaning remains affirmative. You can also say Partons avant qu’il commence à pleuvoir, especially in everyday French.
When do you use avant without de or que?
Use avant + noun when no verb follows.
We can have a coffee before class.
You can also use avant alone as an adverb: Je l’avais déjà vu avant — “I had seen it before.”
Mini practice: choose avant, avant de or avant que
- Je prends des notes ______ regarder la vidéo.
- Nous devons partir ______ le dîner.
- Ferme la porte ______ les enfants sortent.
- Elle vérifie toujours son agenda ______ prendre un rendez-vous.
- Je vais vous répondre ______ vous preniez une décision.
- Ils se sont entraînés ______ participer au débat.
See the answers
- avant de — the same person takes notes and watches.
- avant — a noun follows: le dîner.
- avant que — you close the door; the children go out. Use sortent, the subjunctive form.
- avant de — she checks and makes the appointment.
- avant que — je answers; vous decide. Preniez is subjunctive.
- avant de — they train and participate.
Final recap
Use avant de + infinitive when one subject performs both actions. Use avant que + subjunctive when the second action has a different subject. Use avant + noun when no verb follows. If you see an optional ne after avant que, remember that it is not a negation.
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