( 1 ) This is used to indicate time measured back to a point in the past. It is always placed after the word or words it modifies and used with the simple past tense.
The train left a few minutes ago.
His brother died five years ago.
How long ago was it that you last saw her?
Before :
( 1 ) Already – at an earlier time
I have seen that film before.
You should have told me so before. (Here BEFORE has been used as an adverb.)
