before

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'before' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that happened earlier than something else. For example: "He called me before he left the house".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I said before, we don't take anyone's vote for granted.

The Guardian

The alleged warning from Obeid would have came before – as Icac was previously told – a member of the former NSW energy minister Chris Hartcher's staff made an anonymous complaint levelling false allegations of corruption against Schott.

The Guardian

Young people in Scotland have embraced participative democracy like never before".

The Guardian

But never before in England had Whitehall been asked to surrender so much control over a local public sector, not even in London.

The Guardian

Australia has never before withdrawn an ambassador in response to the death sentence being carried out on a citizen.

The Guardian

Not before time.

The Guardian - Business

I've never done anything like this before and, in hindsight, I have realised it was a silly thing to do".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was suspended by the broadcaster on 10 March before it announced his contract would not be renewed.

The Guardian

"It is regrettable when homes need to be demolished, but Annington's decision to redevelop the estate will see an increase in the number of homes by more than 100%, from 142 to 288, and the inclusion of 20% affordable homes will see a minimum of 59 created where there were none before.

The Guardian

Before adjourning for sentencing, Judge Timothy Pontius said: "I emphasise very firmly that the fact I'm releasing you on bail should not serve as any sort of indication of what the sentence will be".

The Guardian

There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before" to indicate time, ensure the sequence of events is clear. Use it to explicitly state what happened earlier in relation to a later event.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the "before" clause as close as possible to the event it precedes. Misplaced clauses can confuse the intended timeline.

Linguistic Context

The word "before" functions primarily as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction. It indicates temporal precedence or position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Tech

3%

TV & Radio

5%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before" is a versatile word that functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction to denote temporal precedence. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It is used across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. Alternatives like "prior to", "earlier than", and "ahead of" can add nuance depending on the situation. To avoid ambiguity, place "before" clauses carefully. Understanding these aspects will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier than

Directly indicates a temporal relationship.

prior to

Formal alternative, emphasizing a time precedence.

preceding

Highlights the order or sequence of events.

ahead of

Focuses on spatial or ranking precedence.

previous to

A more formal and less common substitute.

leading up to

Emphasizes the preparatory phase.

in advance of

Highlights preparation or anticipation.

in anticipation of

Highlights expectation or forward planning.

on the eve of

Implies immediacy or proximity to an event.

until

Indicates a limit in time.

FAQs

How to use "before" in a sentence?

Use "before" to indicate that one event happens earlier in time than another. For example, "He finished his work "before going home"".

What can I say instead of "before"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to", "earlier than", or "ahead of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "before" or "after"?

"Before" indicates something preceding another event, while "after" indicates something following another event. The correct choice depends on the intended sequence.

What's the difference between "before" and "until"?

"Before" marks the point an event precedes, whereas "until" marks a duration leading up to a point. For example: "I'll be there "before 5 pm"" versus "I'll stay "until 5 pm"".