Before pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Before pursuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one should consider or take action prior to engaging in a particular activity or goal. Example: "Before pursuing a new career path, it's important to assess your skills and interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before pursuing his law degree, he attended Queens College and majored in political science.

The New York Times

Before pursuing such alternatives, it is important to understand the differences between the results produced by each of these algorithms.

Plosone

Before pursuing this, it is helpful to mention two aspects of whisker mechanics and physiology that we will neglect below.

Plosone

Before pursuing detailed population genetics inferences, we performed three analyses to assess data quality and false discovery rates.

BMC Genomics

(Both enrolled at the school before pursuing their photography careers).

The New York Times

He played as a young man in big bands before pursuing engineering.

The New York Times

The state laws were written to make people think twice before pursuing a divorce.

The New York Times

She explained initially having ambitions in the movie world before pursuing a modelling career.

Independent

What investigating magistrate would not now hesitate before pursuing politically sensitive cases?

The New York Times

She later studied art at Camberwell College in London before pursuing a music career.

The New York Times

He decided, he said, to wait until the crisis had abated before pursuing the matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before pursuing", clearly state the action or goal that one should consider before proceeding. For example, "Before pursuing a graduate degree, research potential career outcomes".

Common error

Avoid using "before pursuing" without specifying what is being pursued. The phrase requires a clear object to maintain clarity. For example, instead of saying "Think before pursuing", specify "Think before pursuing that investment opportunity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Before pursuing" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause of time or condition. It sets a temporal boundary, indicating the necessity of some action or consideration before the commencement of a particular activity. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Before pursuing" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of preliminary actions or considerations prior to embarking on a goal or activity. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted and utilized across various reputable sources, ensuring its reliability in both formal and informal contexts. By understanding its function, purpose, and suitable alternatives, writers can effectively incorporate "Before pursuing" into their writing while avoiding common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prior to undertaking

Replaces "before pursuing" with a more formal synonym for "pursuing" and "before".

In advance of seeking

Substitutes "before" with "in advance of" and "pursuing" with "seeking", offering a slightly more proactive connotation.

Before commencing

Replaces "pursuing" with "commencing", implying a formal start or initiation.

Ahead of endeavoring

Uses "ahead of" for "before" and a more elevated term, "endeavoring", for "pursuing".

Previous to engaging in

Offers a formal tone replacing "before pursuing" with "previous to engaging in".

Preceding the attempt to

A more elaborate way of saying "before trying to".

Considering a path towards

Implies a deliberative process before starting, instead of just jumping in.

On the cusp of aiming for

It shifts the perspective to the moment right before starting, replacing "pursuing" with "aiming for".

Contemplating the launch of

Expresses the idea of thinking and considering before starting something new, instead of just acting.

Once the decision to strive for is made

Suggests a point of no return as the decision it's made, instead of focusing on the action itself.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "Before pursuing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "Prior to undertaking", "In advance of seeking", or "Previous to engaging in". These alternatives offer a more elevated and professional tone compared to "Before pursuing".

Is "Before pursuing" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "Before pursuing" is grammatically correct. It's a common and accepted way to indicate that something should be considered or done prior to taking a particular action or aiming for a specific goal, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

What's the difference between "Before pursuing" and "Before embarking on"?

"Before pursuing" generally implies aiming towards a specific goal or objective. "Before embarking on", on the other hand, suggests starting a journey or project. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "before embarking on" often carries a connotation of a more significant or involved undertaking.

When should I use "Before pursuing" instead of "After completing"?

"Before pursuing" should be used when emphasizing the importance of preparatory steps or considerations. "After completing", conversely, focuses on actions that should occur once something else is finished. For instance, "Before pursuing a new marketing strategy, analyze the target market" versus "After completing the project, conduct a thorough review".