Sooner than be a bit different? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ere
'sooner than' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'a bit different?' is the wordplay.
'a bit' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'bit of' mean this).
'ERE' is hidden in the letters of 'different'.
'be' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ere that I've seen before include "Before (literary)" , "Old prior" , "Archaic word for before - a palindrome" , "Old word for before" , "Before (in time)" .)