before delivery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before delivery" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action or event that will occur prior to the completion of a delivery or before a specific item is delivered. Here is an example: "The company requires all payments to be made before delivery of the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Infants were randomized to groups before delivery.

Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health

Ask any author's partner in the three months before delivery.

The Guardian - Books

Prepared remarks of President Barack Obama, before delivery.

The Guardian

In Kyrgyzstan, preachers' sermons must be vetted before delivery.

The Washington Post

Normally, draft judgments are circulated to counsel up to a week before delivery.

The Guardian

The Thermal Region Camera-Spectrometer (TReCS) is undergoing final tests at the University of Florida before delivery to Gemini-S.

Advances in Space Research

Is the purchase delivered as promised, with the customer able to track it electronically before delivery?

The New York Times

The bulk of the merchandise, however, passes through the branch warehouses before delivery to customers.

Cornell University

The mail is filtered for spam and viral content before delivery.

Columbia University

("It's croquignolesque", the Limoges porcelain makers union commented). The mugs were replaced before delivery.

The Guardian - Opinion

These mugs were replaced before delivery and were not on sale.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, specify the timeframe or condition that must be met "before delivery". For example, "Payment must be received before delivery" or "The item must be inspected before delivery".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the type of "delivery" intended (e.g., childbirth, shipping, presentation). Without context, readers may misinterpret the meaning of "before delivery".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before delivery" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the timing of an event in relation to a delivery. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, such as in medical procedures, commercial transactions, and even in the creation of speeches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before delivery" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the timing of events in relation to a delivery, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in science, news, and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, specify the type of delivery and the timeframe involved. Common alternatives include "prior to delivery" and "ahead of delivery". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "before delivery" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to delivery

Replaces "before" with "prior to", offering a slightly more formal tone.

ahead of delivery

Uses "ahead of" to emphasize the anticipation or preparation for the delivery.

pre-delivery

Uses a prefix to create a single word meaning "before delivery", suitable for technical contexts.

preceding delivery

Formally indicates the events that come immediately before the delivery.

leading up to delivery

Highlights the period immediately preceding the delivery.

in advance of delivery

Emphasizes the proactive nature of actions taken before the delivery.

in anticipation of delivery

Focuses on the expectation and preparation for the delivery event.

up until delivery

Specifies a continuous period extending to the moment of delivery.

previous to the delivery

A more formal and somewhat less common way to say "before delivery".

before the time of delivery

Expands the phrase to clarify the temporal relationship explicitly.

FAQs

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

You can use "before delivery" to indicate actions or conditions that must occur prior to a delivery. For example, "All payments must be completed "prior to delivery"", or "The software undergoes rigorous testing "ahead of delivery"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "before delivery"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "prior to delivery", "ahead of delivery", or "in advance of delivery", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "before delivery" and "prior to delivery"?

While both phrases indicate a temporal relationship, "prior to delivery" is generally considered more formal than "before delivery". Both are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. For example: Make sure that the item is properly insured "prior to delivery".

What does "leading up to delivery" mean?

"Leading up to delivery" highlights the period immediately preceding the delivery, emphasizing events or actions during that time. For example, "The weeks "leading up to delivery" were filled with preparations".