before eating / after washing

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Build the sentence in the correct order.
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Grammar notes

After a Preposition, Use -ing

After before and after, the verb usually takes the -ing form. This happens because the verb works more like a noun in that position. It is a small change, but an important one.

  • Example: Wash your hands before eating.
  • Example: He called me after arriving home.

Quick Rule

  • preposition + verb-ing
  • do not use the base verb after before or after here

The preposition is the clue: once it appears, -ing usually follows.