a case before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a case before" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a case that is currently being considered or adjudicated by a court or tribunal. Example: "The judge ruled on a case before the court regarding the legality of the new law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We had a case before Christmas.

The New Yorker

"I never heard about such a case before.

The New York Times

As a young man, he argued a case before the United States Supreme Court.

The New York Times

Nicholas Gravante Jr. was trying a case before Justice Marrus during the Sept. 11 attack.

The New York Times

Kagan, at the age of forty-eight, had never argued a case before an appellate court.

The New Yorker

Mr. Levin urged the administration to bring a case before the W.T.O.

The New York Times

ANNALS OF LAW about Richard Nixon arguing a case before the Supreme Court in 1966.

The New Yorker

One of Mr Wade's donors was a lawyer who recently lost a case before him.

The Economist

A litigant who had a case before one of those defenestrated judges sued.

The Washington Post

The young sheik wrote that filing a case before the female judge was forbidden.

The New York Times

Judge Manton resigned in 1939 shortly before his indictment for bribery in a case before him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a case before", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific court, tribunal, or body where the case is being considered.

Common error

Avoid using "a case before" without specifying where the case is being heard. For example, instead of saying "There's a case before", specify "There's a case before the Supreme Court."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a case before" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces or identifies a specific legal matter that is being considered by a court, judge, or other legal entity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a case before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in legal and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the entity or court involved. Common usage occurs in news and media, followed by academic and scientific domains, highlighting its versatility across different registers. Remember to avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context to identify where the case is being considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legal matter pending

Focuses on the legal aspect and the state of being unresolved.

a matter under consideration

Emphasizes the act of deliberation rather than the legal framework.

a proceeding in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature and formal context of the situation.

an action pending adjudication

More formal and specific to legal contexts, stressing the judicial resolution.

a trial underway

Specifically refers to a court trial that is currently happening.

litigation in progress

Uses a more technical legal term for ongoing legal action.

a claim being reviewed

Focuses on the evaluation stage of a claim or dispute.

a dispute under consideration

Highlights the disagreement and its current state of review.

an issue being litigated

Emphasizes the adversarial nature and legal process involved.

a lawsuit in process

Directly refers to a legal suit that is currently active.

FAQs

How can I use "a case before" in a sentence?

You can use "a case before" to refer to a legal matter that is currently under consideration by a court or other legal body. For example, "The lawyer presented new evidence in "a case before" the judge".

What are some alternatives to "a case before"?

Alternatives include "a legal matter pending", "a matter under consideration", or "a proceeding in progress", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a case before" and "a case pending"?

"A case before" emphasizes the act of the case being actively presented or argued, while "a case pending" simply indicates that the case has been filed but not yet resolved.

Is it better to say "a case before the court" or "a case in court"?

"A case before the court" is more precise and indicates that the court is actively considering the matter. "A case in court" is more general and could refer to any stage of the legal process.