at before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at before' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You could use the phrase 'before' in its place, such as: "We had to finish the task before the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Patients received at least two months of antihormonal treatment (AT) before radiotherapy continuing for at least 2 years.

BMC Cancer

"I've been screamed at before," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've been yelled at before by the best".

The New York Times

Now, though, humane new Church attitudes that were only hinted at before are being made explicit.

The New Yorker

"This film simply looks at war as if war had not been looked at before".

The New York Times

He's at a gear that I've seen myself at before when it just feels easy.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything I looked at before was so expensive and so tiny," Ms. Nowak said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I looked at before-and-after images of New Jersey beach towns.

The New York Times

Lactate and HIF-1α levels were significantly higher at before-dialysis session than controls.

BMC Nephrology

At before-dialysis session, plasma VEGF positively correlated with each of pyruvate, and HIF-1α.

BMC Nephrology

Lactate and HIF-1α levels were significantly higher (P <0.019, P <0.002) at before-dialysis session compared to healthy controls.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at before" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "before", "prior to", or "in advance".

Common error

The phrase "at before" often arises from confusion about proper prepositional usage. Remember that "at" typically indicates a specific location or time, while "before" indicates precedence. Combining them creates an ungrammatical structure. Always check your preposition choices to ensure they accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at before" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a recognized grammatical function in English. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating it is not a standard or usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at before" is considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in written English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's not a standard or usable phrase. It is recommended to use alternatives such as "before", "prior to", or "in advance" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Given its lack of established usage, the phrase is unsuitable for any context or register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to

Replaces "at before" with a formal preposition indicating time order.

beforehand

Substitutes "at before" with an adverb denoting earlier action.

in advance

Replaces "at before" with a phrase indicating preparation.

earlier than

Replaces "at before" with a comparative expression indicating time.

ahead of

Substitutes "at before" with a preposition suggesting precedence.

previously

Replaces "at before" with an adverb describing a past event.

in anticipation of

Substitutes "at before" with a phrase indicating expectation.

leading up to

Replaces "at before" with a phrase describing events leading to a point in time.

preceding

Substitutes "at before" with an adjective meaning coming before.

in the time leading up to

Replaces "at before" with a longer more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

Is "at before" grammatically correct?

No, "at before" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's best to use alternatives like "before" or "prior to" depending on the context.

What can I use instead of "at before"?

Consider using alternatives like "prior to", "beforehand", or simply "before" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Why is "at before" considered incorrect?

The construction "at before" combines a preposition indicating location or specific time ("at") with a preposition indicating precedence ("before"), resulting in an ungrammatical and unclear phrase.

How do I avoid using "at before" in my writing?

Double-check your prepositional phrases to ensure they are grammatically sound. Replace "at before" with more appropriate alternatives like "in advance" or "earlier than" to maintain clarity.