before fouling off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before fouling off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of sports, particularly baseball, to describe a situation where a player makes contact with the ball but does not hit it fair before it is caught or strikes the ground. Example: "He managed to get a good swing in before fouling off the pitch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Laird took two balls before fouling off two pitches.

The New York Times

Flaherty worked the count full before fouling off six two-strike pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

Nomo started Piazza with a fastball outside before fouling off two pitches, then eventually drawing a walk.

The New York Times - Sports

Beltrán, one of two Mets who got a hit off Lincecum in a game at Shea last season, took a strike, then looked at two balls before fouling off a pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

Jason Giambi drove a pinch-hit single off the top of the Monster, and after a broken-bat groundout by Damon, Schilling tried splitters and fastballs against Jeter, who got ahead in the count, before fouling off two pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Soriano's at-bat continued and he kept fouling off pitches, before flying out on the 13th pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

Rivera swung away, fouling off a pitch before grounding out to end the inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Bell hung tough, fouling off three pitches before bouncing a routine grounder to short that should have ended the inning.

The New York Times - Sports

He led off the fifth by getting ahead in the count on Victor Zambrano, 3-1, then fouling off three pitches before lofting a ball to deep right.

The New York Times - Sports

Scott Rolen worked a tough at-bat, fouling off two pitches before bouncing a curveball down the left-field line for a two-run double.

The New York Times - Sports

Two batters later, Rey Ordóñez, the former Mets shortstop, battled Contreras through an 11-pitch at-bat, fouling off fastballs repeatedly before popping out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a baseball game, use "before fouling off" to clearly indicate the sequence of events leading to a foul ball. This helps the reader visualize the play accurately.

Common error

Avoid implying causation when using "before fouling off". The phrase simply indicates sequence; the preceding actions may not directly cause the foul ball.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before fouling off" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the timing or sequence of events leading up to a batter hitting a foul ball. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before fouling off" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the sequence of actions in baseball leading up to a foul ball. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness. It's primarily found in news and media contexts to provide specific details about a play. While relatively rare, its meaning is clear, and it serves to add context to sports narratives. When using the term, focus on clear sequencing, avoiding any implications of causation. Alternative phrases, such as "prior to hitting foul", can be used to vary expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to hitting foul

Emphasizes sequence using a more formal preposition.

just before the foul

Highlights temporal proximity to the foul.

leading up to the foul ball

Focuses on the events leading to the foul.

immediately before the foul ball

Highlights a very short period of time.

in the moments before fouling

Elaborates on the timing using "in the moments".

shortly before the foul

Indicates a brief interval.

preceding the foul tip

Uses "preceding" to indicate order; "foul tip" specifies type of foul.

before the batter fouled it

Adds detail about the batter's action.

in the prelude to the foul

Emphasizes the introductory period.

in anticipation of fouling off

Suggests intent or expectation.

FAQs

How is "before fouling off" typically used in baseball context?

In baseball, "before fouling off" describes the actions or pitches a batter experiences immediately preceding a foul ball. It sets a temporal context for understanding the at-bat sequence.

What are some alternatives to "before fouling off"?

You might use phrases like "prior to hitting foul", "leading up to the foul ball", or "just before the foul" depending on the nuance you want to convey. See more alternatives "here".

Is it grammatically correct to say "prior to fouling off"?

Yes, "prior to fouling off" is grammatically correct, though it sounds more formal than "before fouling off". Both phrases indicate the sequence of events leading to a foul ball.

What does it mean to "foul off" a pitch?

"Fouling off" a pitch means that the batter made contact with the ball, but the ball went foul, not counting as a strike unless it's the third strike.