He started five minutes ago.
He told me he had seen her a few minutes before.
英美人也有用ago,觉得语气比较生动。
When you call at the shop again this afternoon, you may be told that the book has been sold only a few minutes before.
He often forgets what he has heard only a few minutes before.
We (have) met them many times before.
When I went back to the town that I had left eight years before, everything was different.
All day, as three days before, we planted trees.
同三天前一样,我们一整天都在种树。
All day, as for three days before, we planted trees.
同以前的三天一样,我们一整天都在种树。
A few minutes before the accident she called on me.
(不含the/for)
During the few minutes before the accident she had a chat with me.
(含the)
For a few minutes before the accident she had a chat with me.
(含for)
It will not be long before they come back.
他们很快就回来了。