around before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something existed or was present prior to a certain time or event. Example: "I've been around before the internet became popular, so I remember life without it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Works that haven't been around before".

The New York Times - Arts

"We've looked around before and there's not much worth seeing," she said.

Independent

I've seen it around before but only at exorbitant prices.

TechCrunch

Any buyer in this market should therefore look around before deciding on the SportCross.

Forbes

You've never let bullies push you around before!

Huffington Post

"We didn't exactly knock him around before.

The New York Times - Sports

He hadn't seen her around before.

The New York Times

"He was flitting around before joining us.

The Guardian - Sport

I was slipping around before then".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'd just sort of bumbled around before.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm sure they were around before that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "around before" with more precise terms like "prior to" or "previously" in formal writing to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "around before" excessively in academic papers or business reports. Opt for more formal and precise alternatives like "prior to" or "previously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around before" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a temporal relationship, specifying that something existed or happened at an earlier time. This is supported by the examples in Ludwig, where the phrase modifies verbs to provide a sense of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around before" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something existed or occurred earlier than a specified time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While common across various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, sports and wiki articles. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "prior to" or "previously" to enhance clarity and maintain a professional tone. Remember to establish a clear timeframe when using the phrase to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to

This alternative uses a more formal preposition to indicate something happened or existed earlier.

earlier than

This comparison indicates that something happened at a time preceding another event.

previously

This adverb emphasizes that something occurred at an earlier time.

ahead of time

This alternative emphasizes that something is done before a scheduled event.

preceding

This formal term simply describes events that took place previously.

beforehand

This adverb suggests preparation or action taken in advance.

in advance

Similar to 'beforehand', this phrase highlights proactive action.

leading up to

This phrase indicates events or circumstances that precede a specific moment.

in anticipation of

This highlights that something is done preparing for what will happen.

antecedent to

This advanced and highly formal phrase describes something that logically or causally comes before.

FAQs

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

You can use "around before" to indicate something existed or occurred at a time preceding a specific event. For example, "I've been "around before" the internet became popular."

What are some alternatives to saying "around before"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "prior to", "previously", or "earlier than".

Is "around before" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "around before" may sound informal in certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "prior to" or "previously" for academic or professional documents.

What does "around before" mean?

"Around before" signifies existing or occurring at some time earlier than a specific point or event. It implies a sense of precedence or prior experience.