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Li decoriamo prima che gli invitati entrino.

Li decoriamo prima che gli invitati entrino.
We decorate them before the guests enter.
From Lesson 187:The conjunction 'before' (prima che)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Li decoriamo prima che gli invitati entrino.

Why does the verb entrare change to entrino here?
The phrase prima che (before) always requires the verb that follows it to be in the subjunctive mood. Since gli invitati is a 'they' (loro) subject, we use the present subjunctive form entrino instead of the regular present tense entrano.
What does the Li at the start of the sentence do?
Li means 'them' and is a direct object pronoun. In Italian, object pronouns usually go immediately before the conjugated verb, which is why it appears right before decoriamo. It must refer to a masculine plural noun mentioned earlier, like i tavoli (the tables).
Could I use 'prima di' instead of 'prima che'?
Not in this sentence. You must use prima che (plus the subjunctive) when the two actions have different subjects: 'we' decorate, but 'the guests' enter. You only use prima di (followed by an infinitive verb) when the same person is doing both actions, like prima di entrare (before entering).
Is it possible to change the word order to: prima che entrino gli invitati?
Yes! In Italian, it is very common to place the subject after the verb in a dependent clause like this one. Saying prima che entrino gli invitati is perfectly natural and means the exact same thing.

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