before arriving

USAGE SUMMARY

"before arriving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happens before another event. For example: We stopped for lunch before arriving at my grandparents' house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wish I'd bought it long before arriving.

The Guardian - Travel

She always phoned an hour before arriving.

The New Yorker

I was nervous before arriving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even before arriving in Japan.

The Guardian - Sport

Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania before arriving here.

The New York Times

Some patients prepared their wills before arriving.

The New York Times - Travel

She taught at Columbia University before arriving at Princeton.

Princeton University

None of them had met before arriving in Dutch Harbor.

The New York Times

"Embers" had a layover in German before arriving in English.

The New Yorker

Consider choosing an account before arriving at school.

The New York Times

Half an hour before arriving, they all donned gas masks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before arriving", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is arriving and the context surrounding the events leading up to the arrival.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the phrase "before arriving" as close as possible to the subject it modifies. For example, instead of "Tickets should be purchased online before arriving at the venue to save time", write "To save time, purchase tickets online before arriving at the venue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before arriving" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It modifies the verb in the main clause, indicating when an action should be performed in relation to the act of arriving. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before arriving" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship, specifying actions or conditions preceding an arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It enjoys very common usage across various domains, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While more formal alternatives like "prior to arrival" exist, "before arriving" remains a versatile and widely understood choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing it close to the subject it modifies and indicating precisely who or what is arriving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to arrival

Replaces "before arriving" with a more formal and concise expression.

just before arrival

Indicates a very short time interval before the arrival occurs.

shortly before arrival

Similar to 'just before arrival' but indicates a slightly longer timeframe.

ahead of arriving

Emphasizes anticipation or preparation leading up to the arrival.

in advance of arriving

Highlights planning or actions taken well before the arrival.

leading up to arrival

Focuses on the period or process preceding the arrival event.

preceding arrival

A more formal way of saying before, specifically related to the act of arriving.

until arrival

Highlights continuous action that stops with the arrival.

in anticipation of arriving

Emphasizes expectation and preparation for the arrival.

on the verge of arriving

Focuses on immediacy, suggesting arrival is very close.

FAQs

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

Use "before arriving" to describe an action that should be completed or a state that should be achieved prior to someone or something's arrival. For example, "Ensure you have your passport ready "before arriving" at the airport".

What are some formal alternatives to "before arriving"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer phrases such as "prior to arrival" or "in advance of arriving". For example, "All documents must be submitted "prior to arrival"".

Is it correct to say "before to arrive" instead of "before arriving"?

No, "before to arrive" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "before arriving", where "arriving" is a gerund (a verb acting as a noun).

What's the difference between "before arriving" and "after arriving"?

"Before arriving" indicates actions or states that precede the arrival, while "after arriving" refers to actions or states that occur following the arrival. For example, "Complete the registration form "before arriving"", and "Pick up your badge "after arriving"".