My sister arrives at three, but I arrive before (after). (Some purists might
say I can't say it this way, but I just did  Does it sound exotic?  Maybe.
But it works, and I'm a teacher, not language police.  Actually, I like the
sound of it.  Oddly British, or maybe I heard it in Hawaii Pidgin.

Jeff Glauner,  Assoc. Prof. of English
Park University
Parkville MO 64152
Phone:  816-741-2000 Ext. 6352
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Lemoine" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: elliptical constructions


> >I imagine the same thing is true for "after" when
> it's >a subordinate conjunction and when it's a
> preposition, >though I don't care to go there.  Life's
> too short.  A >preposition is a preposition.  And a
> subordinate conjunction is a subordinate conjunction.
> Why not leave >it at that?
>
> Max,
>
> Your point is well taken, but in English there are a
> few words, "than" and "as", that aren't easily
> classified in one category or another.  They both seem
> to function as prepositions and as conjunctions
> depending on whether the speech/writing context
> requires the use of formal language. Some people (my
> colleagues at least) insist that "before" and "after"
> function similarly.
>
> Is there anyone out there who feels that "before" and
> "after" can permit full ellipsis of the predicate as
> in the following example?
>
> (1) My sister arrived at the movie theater before I
> [arrived at the theater].
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kevin
>
>
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