Parts of speech

[hela]

Dear teachers,

How do you know when a word like "before", "since", "like", "as", ect., is a preposition, adverb or conjunction? Would it be possible to give me some examples?

Many thanks,
Hela

 

[Tdol]

Conjunctions can connect clauses, which distinguishes them from prepositions, though there are rey areas where usage and the dictionary divide, like 'than' and 'like, which are frequently used in ways that drives pedants to distraction; the use of' like instead of 'as if'. ;-)

 

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me if my analysis of the underlined words below is correct?

A century 1) before, the upper valley had been well populated with men looking for gold.

But the skeleton waslarge to be human, the bones of the legs were exceptionally long and 2) as we uncovered more of it, we could see that the creature had a thin, curved neck 3) like a swan, but much longer and more powerful.


1) a) before = adverb of time OR b) adjective in postpositive position ?
2) as = subordinating conjunction indicating time (is my wording correct ?)
3) like = preposition.


Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Hela