before delivering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before delivering" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an action or event that takes place prior to a main action or event. Example: Before delivering the presentation, I made sure to practice several times to ensure I was well-prepared.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mailman that is familiar with a route can forward mail before delivering it.

The New York Times

He paused before delivering the punch line.

The New York Times

Mattis paused before delivering his verdict.

The New York Times - Magazine

She smiles and pauses before delivering the carefully-crafted answer.

The Guardian

He paused before delivering a perhaps slightly practiced punch line.

The New York Times - Food

"I'm sorry," he said, before delivering the bad news.

The New York Times

Gerald Fink speaks with MIT President L. Rafael Reif before delivering his lecture.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lewis read it through twice with enthusiasm before delivering his verdict.

Independent

"Shouts to Kevin Gates," he began, before delivering a quote from West's new single "FACTS".

Independent

The jury deliberated for just one day before delivering its verdict.

The New York Times

Two prime ministers in a row have quit before delivering promised reforms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before delivering", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being delivered, whether it's a speech, a product, or information. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "before delivering" when the intended meaning is simultaneous action. "While delivering" or "during delivery" may be more appropriate if the actions occur at the same time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before delivering" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a temporal relationship. Ludwig highlights its usage across a wide range of contexts, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before delivering" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action takes place prior to the act of delivering something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted in written English. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. When using "before delivering", make sure the context clearly specifies what is being delivered to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "prior to delivering" or "ahead of delivering" for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to delivering

Replaces "before" with "prior to", maintaining the same temporal relationship but sounding slightly more formal.

in advance of delivering

Similar to "before", but more explicitly indicates that the action occurs at an earlier time.

ahead of delivering

Emphasizes the anticipatory aspect of the action preceding the delivery.

previous to delivering

A more formal and less common synonym for "before".

in anticipation of delivering

Highlights the expectation or preparation leading up to the delivery.

leading up to delivering

Focuses on the process or period leading to the act of delivering.

in preparation for delivering

Highlights the active steps taken to get ready for the delivery.

preparatory to delivering

Stresses the preparatory actions taken before the delivery.

in anticipation of the delivery

Focuses on the anticipation of the delivery itself, shifting the emphasis slightly.

on the eve of delivering

Suggests the action happens very close to the time of delivery, often the day before.

FAQs

How can I use "before delivering" in a sentence?

You can use "before delivering" to indicate an action that occurs prior to a delivery. For instance, "The technician checked the equipment "before delivering" it to the client".

What are some alternatives to "before delivering"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prior to delivering", "ahead of delivering", or "in anticipation of "delivering"", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "before delivering", or are there simpler options?

Sometimes, a simpler construction like "before the delivery" can work, but ""before delivering"" is useful when emphasizing the action leading up to the delivery process.

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

"Before delivering" indicates an action preceding the delivery, while "after delivering" refers to an action following the completion of the delivery.