Before either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Before either" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more things before making some sort of decision. For example, "Before either of us makes any promises, let's take some time to think this through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Before either of them was famous, that is.

The New York Times

"Before either of us was sick or dying.

The New York Times

Before either attacking platform can work, though, it needs the front row to dominate.

The Guardian - Sport

Before either of them knows what's happening, Paul and Jules launch an affair.

Huffington Post

Repeat "through" or place it before "either".

The New York Times

"I hadn't played mixed doubles before either".

The Guardian - Sport

A long moment passes before either of us speaks again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Three minutes passed before either team scored another basket.

The New York Times - Sports

He set a minimum term of 25 years before either parent was eligible for parole.

The Guardian

This went on for ages before either of them said anything about it.

The New Yorker

The media had long given up on the race before either of them pulled out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context provides a clear reference to the items or entities being compared or considered 'before either' of them.

Common error

Avoid using "Before either" when the intention is to express a preference or choice, not a temporal sequence. For instance, don't say "Before either coffee or tea, I'll have juice" if you mean you prefer juice over both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Before either" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a temporal clause that indicates precedence. It sets a condition or time frame that must occur before either of two specified things can happen, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Before either" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs prior to two specified items or events. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, offering clarity in sequencing or conditional statements. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science, suggesting it fits a neutral register. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "Prior to either" or "Ahead of either". Remember, use "Before either" to highlight sequence, not preference. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples to guide effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before either one

Adds specificity by explicitly stating 'one'.

Prior to either of them

Makes the reference more specific by using 'them'.

Prior to either

Emphasizes the temporal precedence more explicitly.

Earlier than either

Focuses on the time aspect of the precedence.

Ahead of either

Suggests a position in front of or in advance of.

In advance of either

Formal and emphasizes preparation or anticipation.

Preceding either

Formal and emphasizes the act of coming before.

Before both

Highlights that there are specifically two items/entities in question.

Until either

Shifts the focus to the point at which one of the options occurs.

Pre-

A prefix attached to a verb or noun to denote 'before'.

FAQs

How do you use "Before either" in a sentence?

Use "Before either" to indicate something that happens or is true prior to two or more specific things. For example, "Before either of us makes a decision, let's consider all the options."

What are some alternatives to saying "Before either"?

You can use alternatives such as "Prior to either", "Ahead of either", or "Preceding either" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "Before either one" instead of "Before either"?

Yes, "Before either one" is grammatically correct and adds emphasis by explicitly stating 'one'. It's particularly useful when you want to highlight that you are considering individual items/entities. Using "before either" is also perfectly fine and more commonly used.

What does "Before either of them" mean?

"Before either of them" specifies that the action or state occurs before two entities ('them'). It clarifies that you're referring to a specific set of two things, similar to saying "Prior to both of them".