Which of the following describes something that happened before the present time?

The term that best describes something that occurred before the present time is "previous." This word directly refers to events or situations that happened prior to now, emphasizing their temporal position relative to the current moment.

In contrast, "current" pertains to events or situations that are happening at this very moment, indicating an ongoing state. "Subsequent" refers to something that occurs after a certain point in time, typically following another event. "Future" describes events that have yet to occur, signifying a time beyond the present. Hence, the context of the question specifically aligns with "previous" as it directly addresses events that took place earlier.