before calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before calling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or action that should occur prior to making a phone call. Example: "Please make sure to gather all necessary information before calling the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had cried before calling.

The New York Times

You must dial 9 before calling an outside line.

Cornell University

*-* internal coordinates call this routine before calling FCN.

Stanford University

Initialization must be done before calling other BOINC functions.

University of California, Berkeley

whatever else you have to do before calling run.....

Yale University

We might hesitate before calling these boys phenomenal.

The New York Times - Sports

Try these cost-effective solutions before calling a contractor.

The Washington Post

I took a deep breath before calling Paul's wife.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inexplicably, the woman's caretakers waited six hours before calling 911.

The Washington Post

AT THE SAME TIME (and succeeding) before calling Dreamers lazy.

The Washington Post

Luczak and Krezolek waited 33 hours before calling 999.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "before calling" to clearly indicate the order of actions. For example, "Check the FAQ before calling customer support."

Common error

Avoid using "before calling" when the action described should occur simultaneously or after the call. For example, instead of "Apologize before calling", say "Apologize when you call" if the apology is meant to happen during the call.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before calling" typically functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action relative to making a phone call. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function. For instance, "Check her hours before calling".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

26%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before calling" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote actions preceding a phone call. According to Ludwig, the phrase is very common and suitable for neutral contexts, spanning news, academic, and general instructional content. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "prior to calling" or "ahead of calling" based on the context. Remember to use "before calling" when you want to clearly indicate the temporal order of actions, and avoid it when the action should occur during or after the call. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "before calling" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to calling

This alternative uses more formal language, replacing "before" with "prior to".

before making a call

More explicit, replacing the gerund with a full verb phrase.

ahead of calling

This alternative emphasizes the anticipation of the call and the preparation beforehand.

in advance of calling

Similar to 'ahead of calling', but slightly more formal and emphasizes preparation.

previously calling

Focuses on the temporal sequence, highlighting that something happened before the call.

just before calling

Indicates that something occurred very close in time to the call.

in anticipation of calling

Emphasizes the expectation and preparation for the call.

leading up to the call

This is a more descriptive phrase that focuses on the period before the call.

until calling

This phrase indicates a duration of time leading up to the act of calling.

on the verge of calling

Describes a state of almost calling, implying immediacy.

FAQs

How do I use "before calling" in a sentence?

Use "before calling" to indicate an action that needs to be completed prior to making a phone call. For example, "Gather all necessary information "before calling" the customer service."

What can I say instead of "before calling"?

Alternatives include "prior to calling", "ahead of calling", or "before making a call", depending on the context and level of formality desired.

Which is correct, "before calling" or "prior to call"?

"Before calling" is generally preferred. "Prior to calling" is also correct but more formal. "Prior to call" is grammatically incorrect; it should be "prior to calling" or "before a call".

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

"Before calling" indicates an action that should be done before making a call, while "after calling" indicates an action that should be done following a call. For example, "Prepare your questions before calling" vs. "Document the conversation after calling."