before I reached the age of reason vs when I reached the age of reason

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Before I reached the age of reason' implies that the action or event happened prior to the individual gaining the ability to think and make decisions logically. On the other hand, 'When I reached the age of reason' suggests that the action or event occurred at the time when the individual gained the ability to think and make decisions logically.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 738 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something happened prior to the individual gaining the ability to think and make decisions logically.

"before I reached the age of reason"

This phrase is used to describe events or actions that occurred before a person reached the age where they are considered capable of logical thinking and decision-making.

Examples:

Before I reached the age of reason, I believed in fairy tales.
He made some questionable decisions before he reached the age of reason.
Before I reached the age of reason, I couldn't understand complex concepts.
She had already developed a love for music before she reached the age of reason.
Before I reached the age of reason, I didn't question authority.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 22, 2008 ... I am not responsible for any of the actions of my fellow countrymen that took place before I reached the age of reason. I can sympathize with those who were mistreated by "Americans" who came before me, but I will not accept ...
Before I reached the age of reason and became a radical smartass about such matters, I took my cues from my family. My father was from Missouri, and although a fairly enlightened man otherwise, his attitude toward race was ...
Nov 25, 2011 ... As for the One-Handed water bottle–well, perhaps like yourself, I was a little confused at what was meant by “one-handed” as the only time I've ever drunk anything with two hands was well before I reached the age of reason ...
Mar 26, 2014 ... ... by asserting that many who are not "in communion" with the ROMAN catholic church as RCC members, I have applied for an official annulment of all RCC sacraments administered to me before I reached the age of reason.

Alternatives:

Prior to gaining the ability to reason
Before I was able to think logically
Before I could make rational decisions
Before I reached the age of understanding
Before I reached the age of accountability

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something happened at the time when the individual gained the ability to think and make decisions logically.

"when I reached the age of reason"

This phrase is used to describe events or actions that occurred at the time when a person reached the age where they are considered capable of logical thinking and decision-making.

Examples:

When I reached the age of reason, I started questioning everything.
He began to understand the consequences of his actions when he reached the age of reason.
When I reached the age of reason, I realized the importance of critical thinking.
She discovered her passion for science when she reached the age of reason.
When I reached the age of reason, I became more independent.

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 23, 2015 ... Everything I feel—my anger, highs and lows, precipices, and so on—is a result of the period from one to seven years of age, when I reached “the age of reason.” I established the foundations of my rebellion during that time; ...
A TERROR: As a tot in Iowa, "I was a holy terror," Moran later told her son Peter Koster, "until about the age 4, when I reached the age of reason." She liked make -believe, telling friends that her dad was a policeman.Her parents were divorced ...
Sep 22, 2013 ... So I was a Protestant by birth, but left the religion when I reached the age of reason. In September of 1893, when I was 23 years old, my true spiritual education and quest began. That month spiritual luminaries from around the ...
I was exposed to the work of a lot of great cartoonist — people like Hal Foster, Milton Caniff, and Chet Gould — but when I reached the age of reason, which was somewhere during my freshman year in college, Stan made such an impression ...

Alternatives:

At the age when I could reason
Upon reaching the age of understanding
When I was able to think logically
When I could make rational decisions
When I reached the age of accountability

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before I reached the age of reason vs when I reached the age of reason