before I send

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before I send" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a condition or action that needs to be completed prior to sending something, such as an email or message. Example: "Before I send the report, I want to double-check the data for accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I've seen it before – I send a talented member to a team and they say to me, "we don't really have a role for that person".

TechCrunch

Gates wrote: I comb my hair everytime before I send email hoping to appear attractive.

The New Yorker

I admit it — I'm a stickler for checking over what I write before I send it out.

The New Yorker

"I always show my e-mails to friends before I send them out," said Drew Brooks, a 25-year-old in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Tech

Do you want me to try to clean the book of its food stains before I send it?' She asked me to clean what I could.

The Guardian - Books

I never send anything out unless it has been read by someone else, even a quick email will be reread before I send it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The year before, I sent my oldest daughter off on pretty much the same trip so you'd think I would know what I was doing.

Huffington Post

A week before, I sent the board some literature clearly stating that evaluating teachers using students' high stakes test scores was a seriously flawed idea.

Huffington Post

So before I sent a second check, I called Bank of America to cancel the first.

The New York Times

It might have been even just a few weeks before I sent it off.

The New Yorker

Also, two co-workers saw my screen before I sent it," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always proofread your message or document before sending it to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid sending messages immediately after drafting them. Taking a break and reviewing the content later helps catch errors you might have missed initially.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before I send" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the timing of an action. It establishes a condition that must be met prior to the act of sending. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before I send" serves as a temporal conjunction, indicating an action taken prior to transmitting something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "prior to sending" may be preferable in certain professional settings. Remember to always proofread "before I send" any communication to ensure clarity and accuracy. Avoiding common errors, such as neglecting to proofread or verify recipients, enhances the effectiveness of your messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to sending

A more formal alternative, suitable for professional communication.

before dispatching

Emphasizes the act of sending something officially or formally.

before submitting

Specifically refers to sending something for review or approval.

before transmitting

Implies sending electronic data or signals.

before mailing

Refers specifically to sending something via postal service.

before forwarding

Suggests sending something received from someone else.

before releasing

Indicates sending something for public consumption or general availability.

before issuing

Implies sending something officially, such as a document or statement.

before disseminating

Suggests broadly sharing information with many recipients.

before putting it out there

An informal way of expressing the act of sending or making something available.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "before I send"?

For more formal contexts, you can use phrases such as "prior to sending" or "previous to dispatching".

How can I ensure my message is error-free before sending?

Proofreading meticulously is key. Consider using grammar checking tools and asking a colleague to review important communications "before dispatching".

Is "before I send" suitable for professional emails?

Yes, "before I send" is perfectly acceptable for professional emails, although more formal alternatives exist, as mentioned previously.

What are some common mistakes to avoid before sending an email?

Failing to check the recipient's email address, forgetting attachments, and neglecting to proofread are common errors. Always double-check these elements "prior to sending".