Earlier is used to describe something that took place at a point or period in time before the present or before the one you are talking about.
Earlier reports of gunshots have not been substantiated.
早先关于枪击的报道还没有被证实。
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you are talking about.
As mentioned earlier, the university supplements this information with an interview.
正如早些时候提到的,该大学用一次面试来补充这个资料。
political reforms announced by the president earlier this year.
今年早些时候总统宣布的政治改革。
Earlier is the comparative of early.