before being purchased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before being purchased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition prior to the act of buying something. Example: "The item was thoroughly inspected before being purchased to ensure its quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr. Brockway found a vineyard in Solano County that had been abandoned for a decade before being purchased and resuscitated.

The New York Times - Food

In 1963 the studio struck a $30 million deal with Paramount to produce its own films, before being purchased by Avco in 1967.

The New York Times - Arts

Like last Christmas' must-have electronic gift, selfie sticks, most hoverboards are manufactured in bulk in China before being purchased in bulk by resellers who apply cosmetic retouching and branding.

The Guardian - Tech

The two trucks, which saw most of their action in Etna, Pa., before being purchased from a collector in 1999 for $15,000, now turn up mostly at promotional events, said Jim Ravallese, a Peerless manger.

The New York Times

It was subsequently sold to a private-equity firm, filed for bankruptcy, and most recently was owned by CurtCo Media, the publisher of Robb Report, before being purchased by Sandow Media just over a year ago.

The New York Times

The site was previously owned by a church group before being purchased three years ago by the pro-settler American Jewish millionaire Irving Moskowitz – for use at first as a hotel, tour-guide training centre and café.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The Edinburgh club say approximately 5,400 have been sold, with most of those being purchased before relegation from the Premiership.

BBC

Many more items than ever before can be purchased with cryptocurrency.

Forbes

Congress is already discussing legislation that would require airlines to disclose all fees before tickets are purchased.

The New York Times

But it is considered bad form to bring "sold" stickers and put them on items before they are purchased, as some pickers are known to do.

The New York Times

Bozell had been part of True North Communications before it was purchased by Interpublic and the reorganization was announced; Mullen had been part of Interpublic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the history of an item or company, use "before being purchased" to clearly indicate a change in ownership or status. This helps to establish a timeline and provide context for subsequent events.

Common error

Ensure you're using the passive voice correctly. Avoid confusing "before being purchased" with active constructions like "before someone purchased it", which might alter the sentence's emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before being purchased" functions as a temporal modifier, indicating the timing of an event or condition relative to the act of purchasing something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it clarifies when a certain state existed in relation to a future acquisition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before being purchased" serves as a temporal marker, providing essential context about the state or history of something prior to its acquisition. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, wiki articles, and scientific publications. While it has a neutral register, the surrounding text often dictates the overall formality of the piece. When writing, ensure that you correctly use the passive voice to maintain clarity. The phrase's widespread usage across various sources indicates its reliability and versatility in describing events leading up to a purchase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to acquisition

Replaces the verb phrase with a noun, making it more concise.

ahead of its purchase

Uses "ahead of" to indicate the temporal relationship, focusing on the impending transaction.

previous to procurement

Employs a more formal term, "procurement", for "purchase", altering the register.

in anticipation of buying

Shifts the focus to the act of buying, implying preparation or expectation.

leading up to its acquisition

Highlights the process leading to the purchase rather than the specific moment.

earlier than the purchase

Simplifies the phrase using "earlier than" for direct temporal comparison.

in advance of its acquisition

Similar to "prior to", but emphasizes the preparatory aspect.

pre-purchase

Uses a hyphenated prefix to create a single-word adjective, simplifying the phrase.

before the buyout

Substitutes "purchase" with "buyout", specifically for company acquisitions.

antedating its acquisition

Uses a more archaic and formal term, "antedating", to indicate precedence.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "prior to acquisition" or "in advance of its acquisition". These options use more sophisticated vocabulary and a more concise structure.

Is there a simpler way to say "before being purchased"?

Yes, you can use simpler alternatives such as "before the purchase" or "pre-purchase". These options are easier to understand and more straightforward.

What is the difference between "before being purchased" and "after being purchased"?

"Before being purchased" describes the state or condition prior to a transaction, while "after being purchased" describes the state or condition following the transaction. The phrases indicate opposite timeframes in relation to the purchase event.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "before being purchased"?

The phrase "before being purchased" is most appropriate when detailing the history, condition, or previous ownership of an item or entity. It's commonly used in historical accounts, product descriptions, and business narratives where timelines and transitions are important.