can "sooner" be used in place of "before" and if yes, then how? Thank you.

Question

 None barring the query in question.

Answer 1

Ah, the ambiguities of the English language.

"sooner" has the connotation of time. The train shall arrive soon. The train arrived sooner than yesterday.

"before" as a preposition has the connotation of space. He stood before the painting. Even if it is used in "he came before me," it is more about space than time.

Answer 2

 

 Maybe.

 

Here is an example and a counter-example:

 

   I will get there before her.   vs.  I will get there sooner than her.  (YES it works if you replace

                                                                                                          BEFORE with SOONER THAN)

 

 

  I have never before seen that movie. <--- does not work here

Answer 3

Consider 2 examples:

 

(1)

 

Bob and Bill started a race at the same time and ran the same distance.  Bob ran faster than Bill, and finished SOONER than Bill.

 

(2)

 

Bob and Bill started a race at the same time and ran the same distance. Bob ran faster then Bill, and finished BEFORE Bill.

 

Is there anything wrong with either example?