a while ago vs just before

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A while ago' is used to refer to a past time that is not specified, while 'just before' is used to indicate a specific time or event that occurred immediately prior to another event.

Last updated: March 26, 2024

a while ago

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a past time that is not specified.

This phrase is used to indicate a time in the past that is not precisely defined. It is often used in casual conversation to refer to something that happened some time before the current moment.

Examples:

I saw her a while ago at the store.
He called me a while ago, but I missed his call.
We went to that restaurant a while ago and had a great meal.
She moved to a new city a while ago.
I read that book a while ago and really enjoyed it.

Alternatives:

some time back
some time ago
a little while ago
a few moments ago
a bit earlier

just before

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a specific time or event that occurred immediately prior to another event.

This phrase is used to refer to a specific time or event that happened immediately before another event. It is often used to describe the timing of actions or occurrences.

Examples:

She left just before I arrived.
He finished his work just before the deadline.
The phone rang just before I was about to leave.
I saw him just before he left for the airport.
The rain stopped just before we started our picnic.

Alternatives:

right before
immediately before
shortly before
moments before
a moment ago

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a while ago vs just before

a while ago

just before

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