before being delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before being delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that occurs prior to the act of delivery. Example: "The package must be inspected thoroughly before being delivered to the customer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The letter's stamps show that it passed through Peshawar, Pakistan, before being delivered to Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

In those days stars were shaped by the studio system before being delivered to the public.

The New York Times - Magazine

It can then sit in a warehouse for as long as a week before being delivered to a store.

The New York Times - Food

Important dispatches were always sent in cipher which none but a few operators could read, and which were always translated before being delivered.

Cornell University

Court testimony also established that Jamadi was "body-slammed" by the SEALs into the back of a Humvee before being delivered to Abu Ghraib.

The New Yorker

Discusses in detail the storage and transport of live lobsters from Nova Scotia to a warehouse in Louisville where they are held before being delivered aboard UPS planes.

The New Yorker

But in April of 2004 he was left face down, shaking and ruined before being delivered, still confused, to a Las Vegas hospital.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The conversion and the one of Turner-Hall'scorere before were delivered with confident swipes from Botica's left boot.

Independent

Indeed, a 2012 study showed that more babies than ever before are being delivered by midwives.

Stanford University

It was announced before it was delivered.

The New York Times

(The project collapsed before they were delivered).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before being delivered", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or state precedes the delivery. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "before delivering" when the passive voice is more appropriate. "Before being delivered" emphasizes that the subject receives the action, rather than performs it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before being delivered" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action. It specifies when something must happen in relation to the act of delivering something. Ludwig AI shows it is used to set conditions or requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before being delivered" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a necessary condition or action preceding delivery. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the action or state that must occur beforehand. While "before being delivered" maintains a neutral register, more formal alternatives like "prior to delivery" are available for sophisticated writing. Avoid misusing the active voice (e.g. "before delivering") when the passive form is more appropriate to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to delivery

Emphasizes the temporal aspect using a more concise, formal prepositional phrase.

before it is handed over

Breaks down the action using simpler phrasing, emphasizing the act of handing something over.

before conveyance

Similar to 'preceding its conveyance' but more concise.

prior to shipment

Highlights the shipping aspect, useful when dealing with transportation of goods.

in advance of its delivery

Highlights that actions occur well ahead of the actual delivery.

pre-delivery

A more concise, adjective-like form, often used in technical or commercial contexts.

ahead of dispatch

Focuses on the act of sending something out, replacing 'delivery' with 'dispatch'.

previous to its handover

Uses 'handover' to emphasize the act of transferring possession or control.

preceding its conveyance

Replaces 'delivery' with a more formal synonym, 'conveyance', suitable for legal or technical contexts.

in anticipation of delivery

Focuses on actions taken expecting the delivery, rather than directly before it.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "before being delivered" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "prior to delivery" or "preceding its conveyance". These options offer a more sophisticated tone suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "before being delivered" and "before delivery"?

While both are similar, "before "before delivery"" is typically used when referring to a general timeframe or condition, whereas "before being delivered" is more specific, indicating a process or action occurring just before the delivery itself.

What prepositions can I use instead of "before" in the phrase "before being delivered"?

You can use prepositions like "prior to", "ahead of", or "preceding" to replace "before". For example, "prior to being delivered" maintains a similar meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

In what situations is it best to use "before being delivered"?

Use "before being delivered" when you want to emphasize a specific action or condition that must occur right before something is handed over or completed, such as inspection or modification. For example, "The package must be inspected before being delivered to the customer".