before being sentenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before being sentenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the time period prior to a formal sentencing decision being made by a judge. Example: "The defendant was released on bail before being sentenced for the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He fled the United States in 1978 before being sentenced.

The New York Times

Mr. Hirko apologized for his actions before being sentenced.

The New York Times

"I am truly sorry for my illegal conduct," he told the court before being sentenced.

The New York Times

just before being sentenced to 14 years in prison on 18 corruption convictions.

The New York Times

Now, before being sentenced, Sifrit wanted the judge to know how she felt.

The Washington Post

Asked whether he would like to say anything to the judge before being sentenced, he said loudly, "No".

The New York Times

The woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, cried and gave a short, incoherent statement before being sentenced to 87 months in prison.

The New York Times - Sports

Before being sentenced, Mr. Olah said he was remorseful and hoped to redeem himself in the medical profession.

The New York Times

He escaped and fled to Germany before being sentenced to death in absentia in the Netherlands in 1949.

The New York Times

Polanski fled the US in 1977 before being sentenced for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

The Guardian

He made his famous statement, "I am prepared to die," before being sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occurred close to a sentencing hearing, use the phrase "before being sentenced" to clearly establish the timeline for legal proceedings and related actions.

Common error

Avoid using "before being sentenced" when describing actions that happened long before any charges were filed; it implies a more immediate connection to the sentencing process than may be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before being sentenced" acts as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating when an action occurred in relation to the sentencing event. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.3%

Science

0.1%

Social Media

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before being sentenced" is a grammatically sound and common way to indicate that an event happened prior to a legal sentencing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the timing and connection to the sentencing process. Alternatives like "prior to sentencing" can be used for a more concise phrasing. Remember to clarify the temporal scope when actions happened long before the charges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to sentencing

Uses a more formal and concise prepositional phrase.

ahead of sentencing

Emphasizes the anticipation or imminence of the sentencing.

leading up to sentencing

Focuses on the period of time immediately preceding the sentencing.

in anticipation of sentencing

Highlights the expectation and potential consequences of the upcoming sentencing.

pending sentencing

Indicates that sentencing is awaiting or imminent.

before the judge passes sentence

Specifies the action of the judge in determining the sentence.

previous to the sentencing hearing

Highlights the legal procedure of the sentencing hearing.

in advance of the sentencing date

Focuses on the scheduling and timing of the sentencing.

on the eve of sentencing

Emphasizes the immediacy and finality of the sentencing.

pre-sentencing

A shorter, more direct form using a prefix.

FAQs

How can I use "before being sentenced" in a sentence?

The phrase "before being sentenced" is used to describe an action or event that occurs in the period leading up to the sentencing of an individual in a legal context. For example: "The defendant apologized to the victim's family "before being sentenced"."

What are some alternatives to saying "before being sentenced"?

Alternatives to "before being sentenced" include phrases like "prior to sentencing", "ahead of sentencing", or "leading up to sentencing", each offering a slightly different nuance regarding the timing.

Is there a difference between "before sentencing" and "before being sentenced"?

"Before sentencing" is a more concise form, while "before being sentenced" is more explicit and often preferred when the passive voice is appropriate, emphasizing the recipient of the sentencing. The two are often interchangeable but may affect sentence flow. Both mean the same.

What typically happens before someone is sentenced?

Typically, "before being sentenced", a defendant may make a statement, victims' families may give impact statements, and the judge will consider evidence and arguments presented during the trial and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.