before finishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before finishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that should occur prior to the completion of another task or activity. Example: "Please submit your report before finishing the final draft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Most readers dread a new writer who posts before finishing as many do not finish.

WikiHow

Renshaw snorted before finishing his fourth beer.

The New Yorker

"Silence isn't working for me anymore," she said, before finishing.

The New Yorker

Boston plays Washington before finishing against the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Rodney got up to speak but broke down before finishing.

The New York Times

Truex led the 2010 Daytona 500 before finishing 19th.

The New York Times - Sports

Green then paused and smiled before finishing his thought.

The New York Times

That is why we turned back before finishing our parikrama.

The Guardian - Travel

She turned pro before finishing her degree in economics.

The New Yorker

Many people walk away from treatment centers before finishing.

The Guardian

He, too, struggled for consistency before finishing strongly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before finishing", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action must precede the completion of another. For example, "Review the data before finishing the report".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying what needs to be done "before finishing". For instance, instead of "Submit before finishing", specify "Submit your application before finishing the form".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before finishing" typically functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an action in relation to the completion of another action or process. Ludwig examples show it setting temporal boundaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before finishing" is a versatile phrase used to specify the timing of an action relative to the completion of another. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause. While the phrase appears in diverse contexts, it is most prevalent in news media, wikis, and scientific writing.

When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what action needs to occur prior to the completion. Consider using alternatives like "prior to completion" or "ahead of finishing" for varied expression. Common errors involve unclear antecedents, which can be rectified by adding specificity to the sentence. Overall, "before finishing" is an effective way to delineate temporal sequences in both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to completion

More formal and emphasizes the state of being completed.

ahead of finishing

Emphasizes being earlier in time relative to the finishing point.

in advance of finishing

Formal; highlights preparation or anticipation.

previous to finishing

A more archaic and formal way of saying before.

until completion

Shifts focus to the period leading up to finishing.

preceding the finish

Highlights what comes immediately before the final act.

in anticipation of completion

Focuses on the expectation and preparation for the finishing point.

before the end

Simplifies the phrase, referring to the terminal point.

prior to the end

Formal alternative to "before the end".

till the end

Indicates duration up to the point of finishing.

FAQs

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

You can use "before finishing" to indicate an action that must be completed prior to the completion of another task. For example, "Proofread your essay "before finishing" your revisions".

What are some alternatives to "before finishing"?

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

Is there a more formal way to say "before finishing"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "previous to finishing" or "prior to completion". These phrases are suitable for academic or professional writing.

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

"Before finishing" indicates that something should be done before a task is complete, while "after finishing" implies that something should be done once the task is complete. For example, "Save the file "before finishing" editing" versus "Back up your data "after finishing" the installation".