before examining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before examining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done prior to the act of examining or analyzing something else. Example: "Before examining the results, we need to ensure that all data has been collected accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before examining him, I imagined sharing this with him.

The New York Times - Health

Before examining what this reunion is, let us first examine what it is not.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As is standard, the researchers will obtain permission from an ethics committee at each hospital before examining records and interviewing patients.

The New York Times

Liverpool, in contrast, were slightly directionless for long spells and took an age before examining whether De Gea might be slightly rusty after his time out.

The Guardian - Sport

Had F.B.I. officials known that the review could be completed before the election, Comey likely wouldn't have said anything before examining the e-mails.

The New Yorker

After relaxing for 15 minutes, I left to explore the Raval neighborhood, but not before examining the hallway bathrooms — no Starck, but functional and clean.

The New York Times - Travel

Another school of thought held that Mr. Lazio, a lawyer, might decide to work in the private sector before examining his political future.

The New York Times

Before examining how to use such surpluses to prefund future Social Security benefits, consider what would happen if the pay-as-you-go system stays.

The Economist

But before examining why, it's always useful to see what lessons can be learned from the past, and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) provides a useful case study.

The Economist

It has been suggested that CAM research should establish efficacy before examining mechanism.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Before examining these we summarise the case of competitive fracture/matrix flow.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more formal alternative like "prior to examining" or a simpler alternative like "before checking" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "before examining" when a simpler term like "checking", "looking at", or "reviewing" would be more accurate. Overusing "examining" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before examining" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating that an action occurs prior to the act of examining something. This construction is used to sequence events or steps in a process, setting the stage for a subsequent analysis or investigation. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before examining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating that an action precedes the act of examination or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase in English writing. It is commonly found in scientific, news media, and formal business contexts, serving to establish prerequisites and ensure proper sequencing of steps. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider if a simpler alternative like "before checking" would be more appropriate to avoid unnecessary formality. With over 60 real-world examples, its wide usage and versatility are well-established. When considering alternative options to "before examining", think about the particular nuances each alternative provides in conveying the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to examining

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

ahead of examining

Uses "ahead of" to emphasize the preparatory nature of the action.

previous to examining

Similar to "prior to", but slightly less common.

in advance of examining

Highlights the proactive aspect of performing the action beforehand.

until examining

Focuses on the time leading up to the examination.

preliminary to examining

Emphasizes the introductory nature of the action.

antecedent to examining

Introduces a more formal and technical tone.

pre-examining

A shorter, hyphenated form.

until such time as examining

Extends the original idea with a larger degree of formality.

leading up to examining

Focuses on the process of getting closer to the examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "before examining" to indicate that an action should be performed before something is analyzed. For example, "Before examining the data, ensure all fields are populated".

What can I say instead of "before examining"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to examining", "before analyzing", or "before reviewing", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "before examining" or "prior to examining"?

"Prior to examining" is generally considered more formal than "before examining". Use "prior to examining" in professional or academic contexts where a higher level of formality is required.

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

"Before examining" indicates an action that occurs in preparation for an analysis, while "after examining" suggests an action taken following an analysis. The choice depends on the chronological order of the actions you're describing.