before
prepositionEarlier than something else in time, as in 'We eat lunch before dinner'.
prepositionIn front of someone or something in space, as in 'Stand before the mirror'.
prepositionWhen someone is looking at you or in your presence, as in 'She spoke before the whole class'.
adverbAt an earlier time than now, as in 'I have seen that film before'.
conjunctionRather than something else, or sooner than something else, as in 'I would leave before I would stay'.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter B
The letter B makes the /b/ sound, like in 'bat', 'big', and 'bug'. Both lips press together then release.
B is a voiced bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with voice. It always makes the /b/ sound except when silent at the end of words after m (as in 'lamb' or 'comb').
Tip
B looks like a bat — and bat starts with /b/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Short E
The letter E makes a short sound, like in 'bed' and 'red'.
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound /ɛ/. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says /ɛ/ like an egg on your head.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter F
The letter F makes the /f/ sound, like in 'fish', 'fun', and 'fox'. The upper teeth touch the lower lip.
F is a voiceless labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air flows through to make the /f/ sound. It is very consistent.
Tip
F is for fish — and fish starts with /f/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: ORE says /ɔːr/
ORE at the end of a word makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'more' and 'store'.
ORE says /ɔːr/ (the 'or' sound): more, store, before, score, shore, explore. The E is part of the team.
Tip
One more, please — more, store, score!
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.