before going away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before going away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or action that should occur prior to someone leaving a place or situation. Example: "Please make sure to finish your work before going away for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Check before going away what your card provider charges, as many hit holidaymakers with fees of 2.75% or more on transactions, so the charge from Metro Bank isn't as high as many," she says.

The Guardian - Money

I like to sow seeds before going away – something promising to come home to.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a result of these conjugal visits, the hero plants his children in Galilee, before going away again to fight to liberate them.

The New Yorker

I think it's best to work for a few months before going away so you have enough cash to keep you going.

The Guardian

For example, a college student who lived with his grandmother for only a few weeks before going away to school could not claim succession rights when she went to live in a nursing home.

The New York Times

This is not an article about his crimes and his victims, but about the preparations — some weighty, some trivial — that a middle-aged father and husband makes before going away for at least five years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Some of the players would probably like to get a feel for the pitch but it's obviously the same for both teams and we've done this before, gone away and not training on the surface.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's something I've done before, kind of went away from it a little bit," Kazmir said.

Los Angeles Times

Before CBS went away, they phased out everything pre-1964.

The New York Times

This is all going to get worse and hopefully much funnier before Carson goes away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gingrich wants to win Georgia next Tuesday, or at least try, before he goes away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before going away", ensure clarity regarding who is leaving and where they are going. Add specifics if needed, like "before going away on vacation" or "before going away to college".

Common error

Avoid using "before going away" without specifying the context. For instance, instead of saying "finish it before going away", clarify by stating, "finish the report before going away for the conference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before going away" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time frame prior to a departure. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in specifying when an action should occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Travel

14%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

8%

Education

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “before going away” is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a time frame leading up to a departure. As indicated by Ludwig, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, travel, and business. While generally neutral in register, it’s important to ensure clarity by specifying the context of who is leaving and where they are going. Alternatives like "prior to departure" offer more formal options. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly defines the temporal relationship between actions and the act of leaving for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before departing

This alternative is a more formal synonym for "going away".

prior to departure

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

ahead of leaving

This alternative emphasizes the timing relative to the departure.

just before leaving

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy of the action before leaving.

pre-departure

This alternative is concise and often used in checklists or instructions.

in preparation for departure

This alternative emphasizes the preparatory nature of the actions.

in anticipation of leaving

This alternative is more elaborate and suggests preparation.

leading up to leaving

This alternative emphasizes the period of time before departure.

before one's absence

This is a formal way of stating something must be done before someone is gone.

on the verge of leaving

This alternative emphasizes the imminence of departure.

FAQs

What does "before going away" mean?

The phrase "before going away" means doing something in the period of time leading up to a departure or absence from a place.

How can I use "before going away" in a sentence?

You can use "before going away" to indicate actions that should be completed prior to leaving, such as, "Check your passport expiration date before going away on an international trip."

What is a more formal alternative to "before going away"?

A more formal alternative to "before going away" is "prior to departure". It's suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is there a difference between "before leaving" and "before going away"?

While similar, "before leaving" is more general, and "before going away" often implies a longer trip or absence. Consider context when choosing between "before leaving" and "before going away".