before I continue

USAGE SUMMARY

"before I continue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to pause the current thought and transition to a new idea. For example, "I wanted to discuss the importance of a positive attitude. Before I continue, let me explain why it is beneficial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Um, before I continue: Thrasher and Muffler?

The New York Times

Before I continue, a disclaimer.

The Guardian - Travel

I say drink your pammy before I continue.

The Guardian - Books

So before I continue, there's something that needs to be pointed out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reader, take a few moments to let your chin stop shuddering before I continue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before I continue I should admit that I've been guilty of being involved in producing similar figures in the past.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The last cartoon I saw before I continued on my way showed a group of men talking about what happens in the halls of official power in Beijing — a fairly common occurrence in a year like this.

The New Yorker

The last cartoon I saw before I continued on my way showed a group of men talking about what happens in the halls of official power in Beijing a fairly common occurrence in a year like this.

The New Yorker

After Pacha we all went to Tox, but before I continued on playing with Audiofly, because they had a birthday to celebrate on Tuesday, I decided to go to bed instead.

Vice

And while I've addressed them before, I'll continue until the floods come to Manhattan.

The New York Times

Today, while I definitely am far better than before, I happily continue to be a student in this realm.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before I continue" to signal a change in direction, add a necessary clarification, or provide context before moving forward with your main point.

Common error

Avoid using "before I continue" as a filler phrase or when abruptly jumping to a completely unrelated topic. Ensure a logical connection between the preceding and following statements for a smoother transition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before I continue" functions as a transitional expression. It signals a brief pause in the current line of thought, often to insert a clarification, disclaimer, or related piece of information, as Ludwig confirms. It sets the stage for what's coming next while acknowledging a temporary diversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before I continue" serves as a versatile transitional marker in both written and spoken English. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in news and media. It effectively signals a pause for clarifications, disclaimers, or related information, enhancing the flow of communication. While versatile, it is best used to prevent abrupt topic shifts. As alternatives, phrases like "before proceeding further" or "let me preface this by saying" can be used to subtly shift the nuance, so the choice of an alternative will depend on the intention of the writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before proceeding further

A more formal way to indicate the continuation of a discussion after a brief interruption or clarification.

permit me to elaborate

Indicates an intention to provide more details on a particular point.

let me preface this by saying

This phrase emphasizes the act of providing introductory remarks or context before proceeding.

before we delve deeper

This phrase suggests that the following information will be more detailed or complex.

to provide some context

Introduces background information to aid understanding before continuing.

allow me to add a disclaimer

This alternative is used when one wishes to provide a cautionary statement or clarification before moving forward.

let me clarify something

Use this when you want to make a point clearer.

first, a word of caution

Similar to a disclaimer, this phrase alerts the audience to potential issues or caveats.

I'd like to mention something

It is used to add a related but perhaps not strictly necessary detail.

with that being said

It is used to transition to the next point, often implying a contrast or shift in focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "before I continue" to introduce a disclaimer, provide context, or shift slightly to a related point. For instance, "I wanted to discuss the project's timeline. "Before I continue", let's review the initial goals".

What are some alternatives to "before I continue"?

Alternatives include "before proceeding further", "let me preface this by saying", or "to provide some context", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "before I continue" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "before I continue" when you need to insert a necessary clarification, offer a disclaimer, or subtly shift the focus of your discussion without completely derailing it.

What's the difference between "before I continue" and "in addition"?

"Before I continue" signals a pause or slight deviation before returning to the main topic, while "in addition" indicates a direct continuation by adding more information on the same point.