Лингвофорум

Можно ли в выражениях вроде before/after somebody do (+Tense) something эти слова рассматривать как союзы?

Цитата: Oxford Dictionary of English
[as conjunction] they lived rough for four days before they were arrested
[as conjunction] they would die before they would cooperate with each other

Цитата: Collins English Dictionary. 8th Edition
before [bıˈfɔː]
conj. (subordinating)
1) earlier than the time when
2) rather than
he'll resign before he agrees to it