before coming forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before coming forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time or condition that must be met prior to someone revealing information or taking action. Example: "She decided to gather all the necessary evidence before coming forward with her allegations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Is it something he'd spoken to you about before coming forward?

The Telegraph

They want all their ideas aligned before coming forward publicly – this is going to be pretty impressive stuff".

Independent

He usually stands in the background, out of sight, before coming forward to urge better effort or correct some fine point of technique.

The New York Times - Magazine

And another front page story on Thursday, in which Mr. Wood warned other women to "think twice" before coming forward with such accusations repeated the error.

The New York Times

Johnnie Jackson twanged the Pole's bar with a free-kick but the Campbell-sized captain Guy Branston and his cohorts resisted County's siege before coming forward again.

Independent

Just in case there was any lingering doubt about the campaign's tactics, Mr. Cain's lawyer, L. Lin Wood, said (ominously) that women should "think twice" before coming forward.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In extraordinarily rapid succession, women who have never spoken out before are coming forward with similar claims spanning 40 years.

The Guardian

Leaving aside the question of treatment, the statistics are incontrovertible: more young people and adults than ever before are coming forwards and speaking out about what they perceive as their gender dysphoria.

The Guardian

I have often wondered how long it would take before businesses started coming forward about this, and I think your recent articles will encourage that.

TechCrunch

While he did not offer them immunity last week, he did make it clear that they would be much better off coming forward before the F.B.I. took over.

The New York Times

Graham was fixed on the preacher's accusing stare, which had so unnerved him on previous evenings that he tried moving into the choir to avoid it, before finally submitting and coming forward to accept Christ.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before coming forward", ensure that the context clearly establishes what action or information is being revealed and what conditions precede it.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "before coming forward" always implies a negative or risky situation. While often used in contexts involving whistleblowing or accusations, it can also apply to neutral scenarios such as sharing positive news or volunteering for a project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before coming forward" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier indicating the timing or condition that precedes a revelation or public announcement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before coming forward" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a temporal sequence where an action or period precedes a public disclosure or announcement. As indicated by Ludwig, its usability is confirmed by its consistent appearance across diverse contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, highlighting the importance of timing and preparation when revealing information. When writing, ensure clarity regarding the action being revealed and the preceding conditions. Avoid assuming a negative connotation, and be mindful of the implications of delaying information. Alternatives such as "prior to stepping forward" or "before making an announcement" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to stepping forward

Focuses on the action of stepping forward rather than just coming.

prior to revealing details

Focuses on the unveiling of specific information.

before making an appearance

Emphasizes the public aspect of revealing oneself.

ahead of disclosing information

Highlights the act of revealing information.

before making an announcement

Highlights a formal declaration.

ahead of publicizing details

Stresses the act of making information widely available.

prior to unveiling the facts

Emphasizes the revelation of factual information.

before presenting oneself

Focuses on the act of self-presentation.

before going public with the story

Highlights the act of sharing a story publicly.

prior to reporting the incident

Specifically relates to reporting an event or incident.

FAQs

How can I use "before coming forward" in a sentence?

You can use "before coming forward" to indicate a period of preparation, hesitation, or information gathering. For example, "She gathered all the evidence "before coming forward" with her allegations".

What's a good alternative to "before coming forward"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "prior to stepping forward", "before making an announcement", or "prior to revealing details".

Is it always best to wait before coming forward with information?

Not necessarily. The decision to wait "before coming forward" depends on the specific situation. Factors to consider include the need to gather evidence, potential risks, and ethical obligations.

What are the implications of delaying before coming forward?

Delaying "before coming forward" can sometimes affect the credibility of the information or the impact of the disclosure, especially if others come forward first. It might also be interpreted as hesitation or doubt.