before finally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before finally" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "I tried everything I could think of, before finally deciding to call for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

India is known for switching to other bidders before finally signing a contract.

The Economist

P.S.G. dominated the final but wasted a number of chances before finally sealing victory.

The New York Times - Sports

I refused twice before finally relenting".

The Guardian - Music

Furman moved twice before finally settling in Greenville in 1851.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had squandered 116 pitches before finally squaring one up.

The New York Times - Sports

She suffered similar treatment before finally being dispatched.

The New York Times

"I think …" he says, before finally starting to laugh.

The Guardian

He kept them within striking distance before finally taking over.

The New York Times - Sports

He fled into a nearby office building before finally surrendering.

The New York Times

Conor had hit her several times before finally killing her.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rusch kicked the resin bag before finally leaving the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before finally" to clearly indicate a sequence of actions or events, where the final action is a result of the preceding ones. This helps to build a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "before finally" with other adverbs that imply completion or conclusion, such as "eventually" or "ultimately", as it can create redundancy. For example, instead of saying "before finally eventually happening", use either "before finally happening" or "eventually happening".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before finally" functions as a temporal connector, indicating the sequence of events where an action or state is achieved after a period of time or several preceding actions. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in connecting related events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before finally" serves as a temporal connector to link sequential events, where the final action concludes a series of prior actions. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. With its neutral register, "before finally" is appropriate across diverse writing styles, from academic and scientific to news and general contexts. Though "before finally" is a correct choice, to improve your writing avoid redundancies with other adverbs that also indicates conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to ultimately

Replaces "finally" with "ultimately", emphasizing the conclusive nature of the action.

before eventually

Substitutes "finally" with "eventually", highlighting the delayed but certain occurrence of the action.

preceding the ultimate

Rephrases the entire structure to emphasize the sequence leading to a final state.

leading up to the conclusion

More verbose, focusing on the progression toward a final event.

in the time leading up to

Highlights the time period before something ends.

previously, culminating in

Splits the phrase into two parts to emphasize the concluding action.

after a series of events, at last

Emphasizes the multiple preceding events before the final outcome.

following several steps, in the end

Similar to above, stressing sequential actions and ultimate result.

earlier, then resulting in

Breaks up phrase to show two actions

prior, with the final outcome

General description on phases

FAQs

How to use "before finally" in a sentence?

Use "before finally" to show a sequence of actions where something happens after a period of time or after a series of events. For example, "He struggled for years "before finally" achieving his dream".

What can I say instead of "before finally"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to ultimately", "before eventually", or "leading up to the conclusion" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "eventually" after "before finally"?

Yes, using "eventually" after "before finally" is generally redundant. "Before finally" already implies that something happens at the end of a process or period of time. Choose either "before finally" or "eventually" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What's the difference between "before finally" and "afterwards"?

"Before finally" emphasizes a sequence of actions leading to a final outcome, whereas "afterwards" simply indicates that something happened at a later time. "He practiced diligently "before finally" winning the competition" shows effort and progression. "He practiced diligently; "afterwards", he relaxed" simply states what he did later.