a few points before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few points before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a brief discussion or summary of key ideas or arguments prior to a main point or conclusion. Example: "Before we dive into the main topic, I would like to highlight a few points before we proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Faz just made a few points before we went out, and again at half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Losing sides don't often get that and, if the crowd can maintain such form, they might be worth a few points before the campaign is out.

Independent

Whether you need to brush up on a few points before a meeting, or simply unwind with a newspaper, our Lounges can be used in a whole host of ways".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But in 2000, Mr Bush went from a few points behind before the debates to half a dozen points ahead afterwards.

The Economist

Here are a few points to consider before jumping in: 1. Find the right brand "voice".

Forbes

Polo's operating margin for the Dec. 29, 2001 quarter was 15%, down a few points from the year before and not quite up to Gucci standards.

Forbes

Renting an apartment is fairly straightforward, however if you have credit issues there are a few points to be aware of before you fill out an application.

University of California, Berkeley

A few points, however, should be addressed before publication: 1) To be able to judge the crystallographic data it would be helpful if the authors could provide stereo figures of the different complexes with superimposed 2Fo-Fc electron density in the supplemental materials.

eLife

I've covered the process in detail in another article, but there are a few points you'll want to consider before taking the plunge.

Vice

However, there are a few points that need to be addressed before the work is ready for publication.

eLife

Clearly I am an interested party in this argument, so before presenting a few points bearing on the issues, I should like to state that I think a perfectly good case can be made both for professional editors and for professional scientists as the ultimate adjudicators on scientific submissions, and it is a good idea to have journals operating on both systems.

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few points before" to signal an upcoming summary or introduction of key ideas before a main discussion or decision.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a few points before" can sound stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "first, let's consider" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few points before" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce a brief overview or summary of key ideas before a more detailed explanation or discussion. Ludwig AI supports this analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few points before" serves as a correct and usable way to introduce some considerations that must be taken into account prior to make a statement. Ludwig AI validates this conclusion. While grammatically correct, consider the context to avoid overuse in informal situations. Alternatives like "several items prior" and "some considerations ahead" can provide variety and better fit. It appears most frequently in neutral contexts such as News & Media, Science and Academia. Thus, remember to evaluate your audience's level of formality prior to using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several items prior

Replaces "points" with "items" and uses "prior" instead of "before", slightly more formal.

some considerations ahead

Uses "considerations" for "points" and "ahead" for "before", altering the structure.

preliminary notes first

Substitutes "points" with "notes" and rearranges the order for emphasis.

initial thoughts beforehand

Emphasizes the beginning nature of the considerations using "initial" and "beforehand".

some aspects to consider beforehand

More descriptive, specifying that these are aspects to consider.

a handful of items previously

Uses 'handful' instead of 'few', indicating a small quantity, and 'previously' for 'before'.

certain matters beforehand

More formal, uses 'matters' instead of 'points'.

key aspects prior

Highlights the importance of the points using 'key'.

several topics in advance

Substitutes "points" with "topics" and "before" with "in advance", indicating planning.

a number of concerns preceding

Uses 'concerns' suggesting potentially problematic points, and 'preceding' instead of 'before'.

FAQs

How can I use "a few points before" in a sentence?

You can use "a few points before" to introduce preliminary information before discussing a main topic, for example, "A few points before we begin, let's review the agenda."

What are some alternatives to "a few points before"?

Alternatives include "several items prior", "some considerations ahead", or "preliminary notes first", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a few points before" in formal or informal writing?

"A few points before" is generally suitable for both formal and neutral writing, but might sound slightly stiff in very informal contexts. Consider alternatives like "let's quickly go over" for casual settings.

What's the difference between "a few points before" and "a few points after"?

"A few points before" introduces ideas that will be discussed prior to a main topic. "A few points after" would introduce a summary or reflection following a main topic. The meaning is opposite.