我以前从未听到过这个词语、，是最近新造的吗？ I hadn't heard that expression before ; is it a recent coinage?
办公室前有一丛玫瑰。 There is a rose bush in front of the office.
希思先生是英国前任首相。 Mr. Heath is the former Prime Minister of Britain.
这两个人中┃，前者已死|，而后者仍然活着。 Of these two men, the former is dead but the latter is still alive.
使用象我们的前任会计这样的词组来指仍然健在不过不掌管相关的职位的人|，在字义上是正确的|，但是在这样的情况下|，former一词能够避免尴尬的误解发生 It is technically correct to use a phrase such as our late treasurer to refer to a person who is still alive but who no longer holds the relevant post, but the use of former in this context will ensure that no embarrassing misunderstanding is created.
我在进门前把鞋在垫子上擦了擦。 I wiped my shoes on the mat before I came in.
一名通讯员被派去给前线士兵送消息|。 A messenger was despatched to take the news to the soldiers at the front.
他对他以前不光彩的行为感到羞愧|。 He is ashamed for his former dishonorable action.
