在他甚至考虑以此为业之前很久，他就开始学习小提琴了。

He had started learning the violin ___long ___before he even considered it as a career.

这一理论的基础在验证它的技术出现之前很久就已奠定。

The foundations of the theory were laid ___long ___before the technology existed to test it.

在官方宣布之前很久，她就察觉到了办公室里的紧张气氛。

She had sensed the tension in the office ___long ___before the official announcement was made.