Page 29 - Basic English Usage

21-22
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The difference between ago and before
two years ago = two years before now
two years before = two years before then (before a past time)
Compare:
Two years ago, | visited my home town, which | had left two years
before.
8D
ft ; visited ; NOW
.
—- A two years ago 4
J
two years before

For other uses of before, see 61-63.

21 all (of) with nouns and pronouns

We can put all (of) before nouns and pronouns.
Before a noun with a determiner (for example the, my, this), ail and all of
are both possible.
All (of) my friends like riding.
She's eaten all (of) the cake.
Before a noun with no determiner, we do not use of.
All children can be naughty sometimes. (NOT Aftefehitdren ...)
Before a personal pronoun, we use ail of.
All of them can come tomorrow.
Mary sends her love to all of us.
All we, all they are not possible.

We can put al! after object pronouns.
I've invited them all.
Mary sends her love to us all.
I've made you all something to eat.

22 all with verbs
Allcan go with a verb, in ‘mid-position’, like some adverbs (see 13.2).

auxiliary verb + all 2 all + other verb
anvVare/is/was/were + all
My family all like travelling.

We can all swim. You all look tired.
They have all finished.
We are all tired.