Thread: "до" и "перед"

Many thanks especially pushvv and it-ogo!
Because at my level I was not taught the "Preposition + тот, как " I couldn't understand many expressions.
I will not ask how "До того, как" or "перед тем, как" are translated? The translation is simply: "before".
Two conclusions:
1. The "До того, как" or "перед тем, как" are used when I want to combine ACTS that occured on consecutive time periods (ACTS = phrases including verbs).
2. I can also use the "после того, как" and I found the example in internet: "В Киеве мужчина угнал автомобиль соседа после того, как тот отказался его продать".
I don't know if there are other prepositions, except "До, перед and после" used with the form"Preposition + тот, как "?

Originally Posted by Antonio1986

Many thanks especially pushvv and it-ogo!
Because at my level I was not taught the "Preposition + тот, как " I couldn't understand many expressions.
I will not ask how "До того, как" or "перед тем, как" are translated? The translation is simply: "before".
Two conclusions:
1. The "До того, как" or "перед тем, как" are used when I want to combine ACTS that occured on consecutive time periods (ACTS = phrases including verbs).
2. I can also use the "после того, как" and I found the example in internet: "В Киеве мужчина угнал автомобиль соседа после того, как тот отказался его продать".
I don't know if there are other prepositions, except "До, перед and после" used with the form"Preposition + тот, как "?

Virtually any preposition.

You can think about it as following. Preposition requires an expression in some specific case (case gives an additional information). But verbs can't take cases so verbs are unacceptable immediately after a preposition. You have to transform a verb construction into something that can take cases.

Namely:
1. Produce a noun. She had left (immediately) before I arrived. - Она уехала перед моим приездом. - She had left before my arrival.
2. Make a complex sentence and use "то" (which can take cases) to connect clauses. She had left (immediately) before I arrived. - Она уехала перед тем, как я приехал. - She had left before the event that I arrived.

As far as I remember contemporary grammar classifies that constructions as conjunctions: "то, как", "то, что", "то, где", "то, куда" etc etc.

Examples with different prepositions.
Я думаю о том, как мы будем жить дальше.
Все указывает на то, что предатель - Филби.
Дело в том, что я тебя больше не люблю.

I have been studying Russian for 3 months and the reason why I can understand Grammar so well is because I know the Greek language. Until now I believed that the structure and the grammar of Greek and Russian language are identical. I was wrong there is a difference in the construction of complex sentences (i.e. sentences with more than two acts or more than two subjects performing different acts). Until now I can conclude that in Greeks we don’t have the grammatical constructions: “чтобы” and "то, как /где/куда". I am sure that there are also others differences. I have created some example complex sentences below. If you have time please correct them, because I just want to understand the general idea in order to begin reading specific chapters of grammar.
1. I don't know how to come to your office = Я не знаю как я приеду в твой офис.
2. He closed the door without closing the windows = Он закрыл дверь без того, как закрыл окна.
2. Instead of playing piano he studies literature = Вместо того, как он играет на фортепиано, он читаю литературу.
3. Except playing piano, she plays violin = Кроме того, как он играет на фортепиано, он играет на скрипке.
4. (VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME) Between studying in Italy, and studying in Germany, he preferred Germany = Между тем, как он изучает в Италии, и он изучает Германии, он предпочёл Италию.
5. I don't have time to exercise = У меня нет времени для того, как практиковать.
Thank you.