before long 可以連用哪些時態

before long的意思是“不久”，可指過去或將來，即可用于過去時態或將來時態。如：

1. 連用一般將來時

We’ll know before long (= soon). 我們很快就會知道了。

I’m going to get very cross before long. 我很快就會大發雷霆。

It’s likely that the law will be abolished before long. 這項法律很有可能不久就要廢除。

You need to be careful, or you’ll run yourself into the ground before long. 你要小心點，不然過不了多久你就會累垮的。

2. 連用一般過去時

Before long the whole neighbourhood knew about it. 不久，整個小區都知道了這事。

Before long, the dispute degenerated into fierce polemics. 不久爭論就演變成了激烈的論戰。

One thing led to another and before long Sue and I were engaged. 事情一件接著一件, 不久之后我和休就訂婚了。

Other students joined in the protest, and before long (=soon) there was a crowd of 200 or so.  其他學生也加入了抗議隊伍，不久就有 200 人左右了。

We were called to the hospital twice, but the old man seemed to have nine lives, and before long made a complete recovery. 我們兩次被召往醫院，但老父親大難不死，不久就完全康復了。

3. 其他時態

有時在特定語境中也可以連用完成時（如將來完成時、過去完成時等）。如：

I knew she would arrive before long. 我當時就知道她很快就會到的。

Before long they had signed with Virgin. 他們不久就和維珍唱片公司簽了約。

Before long a large crowd had gathered outside the building. 不久大樓外面就聚集了一大群人。

Before long, he will have forgotten all about the matter. 過不久，他很快就會把這件事全然忘記的。

有時 before long 不是修飾謂語動詞，而是修飾非謂語動詞的，此時完全可以根據需要來確定謂語時態：

I hope to write to you before long. 我希望不久就能給你寫信。