~以前 (before, formal)

The adverb/noun/suffix 以前 'formerly / previously / before / prior to.' Used as an adverb to mark a past state contrasted (often implicitly) with a present that's different. As a suffix, 'before X / prior to X' — a slightly more formal or written alternative to ~前. Stronger and more specific than 前に. Common in narrative or analytical time-framing.