Before anything else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Before anything else" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be prioritized or addressed first before other matters. Example: "Before anything else, we need to establish a clear plan for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Before anything else, I'm a Muslim," Erdogan said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Before anything else, the troupe is a family.

The New York Times - Arts

"Before anything else, you learn how to fight.

BBC

Before anything else, no, it's not an alien spacecraft.

TechCrunch

Before anything else, that's my brother.

Los Angeles Times

Before anything else it's a creative environment.

Huffington Post

Before anything else, I am a mama.

Huffington Post

"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success".

Huffington Post

Before anything else, parents must understand what's happening.

Huffington Post

Before anything else, I have two personal messages to convey.

Unicef

Before anything else, the old door must be removed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Before anything else" to clearly signal the most important action or consideration at the beginning of a process or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "Before anything else" when the point you're making is not actually the highest priority; ensure it truly represents the most crucial initial step.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Before anything else" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb by specifying the timing or priority of an action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Before anything else" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to highlight the primary importance of a specific action or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across various contexts, including news, wiki, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "first and foremost" or "above all else" exist, "Before anything else" provides a clear and direct way to establish priorities. It is essential to ensure that the emphasized point truly represents the most crucial initial step to avoid misplacing emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

First and foremost

Emphasizes the primary importance of something.

Above all else

Highlights the supreme importance of something compared to everything else.

Primarily

Indicates the main or most important thing.

In the first place

Indicates the initial consideration or action.

To begin with

Signals the start of a sequence or list of priorities.

Firstly

The adverbial form used to list a first point or priority.

Initially

Focuses on the starting point or first action.

First off

An informal way to indicate the first thing to do.

Ahead of everything

Highlights the action that needs to be done before any other.

As a first step

Highlights that something needs to be done before anything else happens.

FAQs

How can I use "Before anything else" in a sentence?

You can use "Before anything else" to emphasize the priority of an action. For example, "Before anything else, ensure all safety protocols are followed."

What are some alternatives to "Before anything else"?

Alternatives include "first and foremost", "above all else", or "primarily" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "First" and "Before anything else" in the same sentence?

Yes, using both "First" and "Before anything else" is usually redundant. Choose one or the other to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Can "Before anything else" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "Before anything else" is appropriate for formal writing, though alternatives like "primarily" or "first and foremost" might be preferred for an even more formal tone.