preposition

ere

eh-uh

preposition

Before; earlier than (an old-fashioned or literary word).

"He vowed to return ere nightfall."

"Ere long, the truth came out."

conjunction

Before (something happens) — used the same old-fashioned, literary way.

"Ere she could answer, the phone rang."

How to Use Ere

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned or poetic way of saying "before."

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "air" or "heir" — they sound alike but are unrelated.

When to use it

Archaic/literary — you will meet it in older poetry and fiction, not in everyday modern English.

Easily confused with

air → heir →

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Can you complete this real example?

He vowed to return _____ nightfall.

From Old English ǣr ("early, before"), the same root that gives us "early" and "erstwhile."

here were mere Pere dere Vere Gere there where Frere Shere sphere