Ago vs Before: Count Back from Now or Compare Two Times
ago counts a measured period backwards from the time of speaking or writing, normally now. before places an event, action or experience earlier than another stated or contextually understood reference point.
Earlier than another reference point = before
Choose ago
The sentence gives a measured period—such as two days, six months or ten years—and counts backwards from the current speaking or writing point.
Choose before
The sentence compares two times. The second reference may be written after the blank or understood from the surrounding situation.
Find the reference point
Do not choose only because you see a past-time expression. Ask where the sentence starts counting from.
The regional office opened six years ___.
Answer: agoSix years is counted backwards from the present.
The legal team reviewed the contract ___ it was signed.
Answer: beforeThe signing is the comparison point; the review happened earlier.
The drill uses 2 untimed Warm-Up questions, 5 timed Anchor Drill questions and 5 timed New Context questions. Tap the anchor before choosing the answer.
What your result reveals
The result shows whether you found the sentence’s real reference point under pressure: the present speaking or writing point, or another stated or understood time. In Review, check the exact anchor before rereading the final answer.
If you missed ago
Review the measured period and confirm that it is counted backwards from the current speaking or writing point.
If you missed before
Locate the comparison time. It may be another written event, or an earlier experience understood from the surrounding context.
If both seemed possible
Do not translate both as “earlier.” Ask: earlier than now, or earlier than another reference point?
Use Review in this order: check the correct answer, locate the exact anchor, name the reference point, then confirm the reusable pattern.