before continuing with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before continuing with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a pause or a prerequisite action that should occur prior to proceeding with a particular task or discussion. Example: "Before continuing with the presentation, let's address any questions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let it dry before continuing with the process.

WikiHow

In general, focal animal data were collected continuously on one group for an entire day before continuing with another group the following day.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

I hesitated momentarily, before continuing with my run.

Independent

Mr O'Brien apologised to Judge Denise Casper for his outburst before continuing with his testimony.

Independent

Raised in London, she won a place at Cambridge before continuing with her career in acting.

Independent

"I hear you - we'll be happy to talk about that," Mr. Bloomberg said, before continuing with his planned remarks.

The New York Times

Before continuing with the novel, it is best to consider what makes it unusual as a text.

The Guardian - Books

Go around the room and have students volunteer their opinion statements before continuing with the next step.

The New York Times

Fox first made Fantastic Four in 2005, before continuing with its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, in 2007.

Independent

He pledged to press Washington about the spy agency's activities before continuing with the talks about a transatlantic free trade agreement.

The Guardian

She will speak to staff at Conservative party headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, before continuing with her preparations for a new cabinet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before continuing with", ensure the preceding action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. This provides a clear sequential understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "before continuing with" without specifying what needs to happen before continuing. For instance, instead of saying "Before continuing with the project", specify "Before continuing with the project, ensure all data is backed up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before continuing with" acts as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating that an action or process must occur prior to the continuation of another. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before continuing with" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the need for a preliminary action. As shown by Ludwig, it's used across diverse fields like science, news, and general writing. While Ludwig confirms its general acceptability, considering slightly more formal options like "prior to proceeding with" in formal writing can enhance clarity and professionalism. Remember to clearly define the preceding action to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives are available, "before continuing with" remains a versatile and readily understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to proceeding with

Formal synonym emphasizing the temporal sequence; "prior" adds a sense of importance or necessity.

before we proceed further with

Adding "we" to the sentence to clarify who is continuing the task

prior to the continuation of

Formal alternative with a focus on the continuation of the task

before we keep going with

Adding "keep going" to show the continuality of an action

ahead of proceeding further with

Implies a step-by-step progression; "further" emphasizes distance or degree of advancement.

prior to moving on to

More common and focusing on transition of starting an action

previous to moving forward with

Focuses on the act of 'moving forward', suggesting progress; adds a spatial metaphor.

until we proceed with

Adding "until" in a temporal sense to provide context before starting the task

in advance of carrying on with

More verbose, highlighting the 'carrying on' aspect of the original phrase; suitable for emphasizing ongoing action.

preceding the resumption of

More formal and concise; emphasizes the 'resumption' aspect, suitable for interruptions.

FAQs

How can I use "before continuing with" in a sentence?

You can use "before continuing with" to indicate a necessary preliminary action. For example, "Before continuing with the presentation, let's address any questions"."

What's a formal alternative to "before continuing with"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to proceeding with". This phrase provides a similar meaning but sounds more professional.

Is it okay to use "before continuing with" in academic writing?

Yes, "before continuing with" is acceptable in academic writing, especially when outlining steps in a process or argument. However, consider more formal alternatives like "prior to proceeding with" for increased formality.

What's the difference between "before continuing with" and "after completing"?

"Before continuing with" indicates something that must be done before proceeding, whereas "after completing" indicates something that must be done and finished before proceeding. They denote opposite temporal sequences.