before everything else

USAGE SUMMARY

"before everything else" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to prioritize something before going on to anything else. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example, "Before everything else, I would like to thank you for attending the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I put it before everything else," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Artaud bases theatre on spectacle before everything else.

The New Yorker

Before everything else comes the need to see your customers clearly.

Harvard Business Review

The start-up demanded that I put myself and the business before everything else.

The New York Times

As an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in the 90s, work came before everything else.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Levenson said that one is certainly "that we'll be open down there before everything else".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"You of organized labor and those who have gone before you in the union movement have helped make a unique contribution to the general welfare of the Republic-the development of the American philosophy of labor...Workers want recognition as human beings and as individuals-before everything else.

Huffington Post

For example, the above tables might be modified so that ∼1/2, 1/2 ⊃ 0, 1/2 ≡ 0, and 0 ≡ 1/2 all have the value 0 instead of 1/2, as before, leaving everything else unchanged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That, before and after everything else, is what books do.

The New York Times - Magazine

When everything from jet engines to soft drink vending machines to car seats have sensors in them, we will see an explosion of data the likes of which we've never seen before, and everything else that came before will seem, well, small.

TechCrunch

"Bodies knowing the other's well from before but everything else running through now, making it rare … and the desire that follows, no matter what we do, cannot be spent up and does not let go".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before everything else" to clearly signal what should be considered or done first in a sequence of actions or considerations. For example: "Before everything else, ensure all safety protocols are followed."

Common error

Avoid using "before everything else" in overly complex sentences where it can create ambiguity. Break down the sentence or rephrase for clarity. Instead of: "Considering the budget constraints and the time limitations, before everything else, we need to prioritize the core functionalities.", try: "We need to prioritize core functionalities. This is our main concern, given budget and time constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before everything else" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate priority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before everything else" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the priority of a particular action or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, academia, and general writing. While interchangeable with alternatives like "above all" or "primarily", it's crucial to avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain clarity. When used correctly, "before everything else" effectively signals what needs to be addressed first.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something.

primarily

Highlights the main or most important thing.

first and foremost

Indicates the initial and most significant consideration.

more importantly

Suggests that something is of greater significance than what precedes it.

most of all

Emphasizes the greatest degree of importance.

in the first place

Highlights the initial order or priority.

to begin with

Indicates the starting point or primary focus.

as a priority

Specifies that something should be treated with high importance.

fundamentally

Refers to the basic and essential aspect.

essentially

Highlights the core or most important element.

FAQs

How can I use "before everything else" in a sentence?

Use "before everything else" to emphasize the priority of one action or consideration over others. For example: "Before everything else, let's make sure everyone is safe."

What are some alternatives to "before everything else"?

You can use alternatives such as "above all", "primarily", or "first and foremost" depending on the context.

Is "before everything else" formal or informal?

"Before everything else" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but consider using more formal alternatives like "primarily" or "fundamentally" in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "before everything else" and "more importantly"?

"Before everything else" indicates a chronological or procedural priority, while "more importantly" emphasizes a greater level of significance. For example, "Before everything else, gather the data; more importantly, analyze it correctly."