[*] 434. Some Prepositions and Adverbs which imply comparison are followed, like comparatives, by quam , which may be separated by several words, or even clauses. Such words are ante , prius , post, posteā , prīdiē , postrīdiē; also magis and prae in compounds:—
- “neque ante dīmīsit eum quam fidem dedit ” (Liv. 39.10) , nor did he let him go until he gave a pledge.
- “ post diem tertium quam dīxerat ” (Mil. 44) , the third day after he said it.
- “Catō ipse iam servīre quam pūgnāre māvult ” (Att. 7.15) , Cato himself by this time had rather be a slave than fight.
- “Gallōrum quam Rōmānōrum imperia praeferre ” (B. G. 1.17) , [they] prefer the rule of Gauls to that of Romans.
[*] Note.--The ablative of time is sometimes followed by quam in the same way (§ 424. f): as,—octāvō “mēnse quam” (Liv. 21.15) , within eight months after, etc.