* "avant" - This is the most common and general way to say "before." It can be used in many different situations. For example:
* "Avant le dîner" (before dinner)
* "Avant de partir" (before leaving)
* "précédent" - This means "previous" or "preceding." It is used when referring to something that came before in time or order. For example:
* "Le mois précédent" (the previous month)
* "L'événement précédent" (the previous event)
* "antérieur" - This means "prior" or "former." It is used in a similar way to "précédent" but can also be used in a legal or official context. For example:
* "Antérieur à la guerre" (prior to the war)
* "Les faits antérieurs" (the prior facts)
The best way to know which spelling to use is to consider the specific context and meaning you want to convey.