before

【1】（表示时间）在……以前

①多用以引导时间状语。

【例】This offer is open up to our receipt of your order before May15, 2002.

此报盘以我方在2002年5月15日以前收到贵方订单为有效。

②间或用以引导定语。

【例】As the factory is very busy we cannot guarantee delivery before Saturday.

工厂很忙，我们不能保证星期六之前交货。

③before前可有修饰语。

【例】We think that it would be of advantage to you to receive the goods well before your National Holiday.

贵方若能在贵国国庆节之前早早收到货物，对贵方是有好处的。

【2】（表示位置）在……前面

【例】We have before us your favour of May 30.

贵方5月30日来函业已收到。

beforehand

事前

【例】We wish to inform you beforehand that shipment should be made on time.

我们想事前通知你方，（你方）应该如期[按时]装船。

beg

请求，恳求

【例】We beg you to send us your quotation for100 tons of linseeds.

恳请贵方寄来100吨胡麻子的报价。