before going off for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before going off for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time or action that occurs prior to leaving for a specific destination or event. Example: "I need to finish my report before going off for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Watson was treated and played on before going off for a head injury assessment after eight minutes and not returning.

The Guardian - Sport

Watson played on for six minutes before going off for a head injury assessment and not returning.

The Guardian - Sport

There he is now, pitching up at the ground 20 minutes late, paying off the cab at the Grace Gates, divesting himself of his dinner jacket as he strolls to the dressing room from where he will soon emerge to sweep and cover drive opponents to elegant distraction, reaching a hundred shortly after tea before going off for more carousing.

Independent

His nasty witty skit is a latter-day Modest Proposal, in which a trio of white shites argue the logic of getting rid of black people ("they" take away oxygen, milk and public transport from "people of our ilk") before going off for a Cajun meal.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I've only played it once [the north London derby] but I could still feel how it is with the fans and everything around the club, so yeah, we know it's going to be a really nice game to play," Eriksen says, before going off-message in his praise for the local rival with whom he was linked at Ajax after glowing reviews from Dennis Bergkamp.

The Guardian - Sport

If a dirty bomb is discovered in New York before it goes off, for example, the N.Y.P.D. Bomb Squad will most likely get to it first while federal jets are scrambling.

The New York Times - Magazine

When they wrote the last album they were still living with their parents, before going off on tour for a lengthy period.

Independent

Page 14 National FOR EX-LOBBYIST ABRAMOFF, AN EFFORT AT REDEMPTION At 53, Jack Abramoff is pursuing a comeback he started planning even before going off to prison for crimes including corrupting members of Congress.

The New York Times

I am taking this to be a version of "So what?" The senator's ability to vote from a residence he hasn't actually lived in for decades was, the campaign said, based on the same principle that allows a member of the military to vote from the last place he or she lived before going off to fight for the country.

The New York Times

Although the series was never finished, it was highly acclaimed and Lear found himself employed by the the Earl of Derby, before going off to travel for three years in Italy He published two volumes of illustrations, Illustrated Excursions in Italy, the first of many such books and is also recorded as having given drawing lessons to Queen Victoria, who was impressed with the "Excursions".

The Guardian - Tech

The artist's brother Alessandro Nivola and wife Emily Mortimer hosted the celebration before going off to Ireland and Spain for work on their new movies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before going off for" to clearly indicate the sequence of actions, ensuring the reader understands what happens prior to a departure or specific activity. For clarity, specify both the action and the destination or purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "before going off for" without a clear indication of the destination or purpose. For instance, instead of "before going off for a while", specify the activity such as, "before going off for vacation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before going off for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship between an action and a subsequent departure or activity. As Ludwig shows, it clarifies what occurs leading up to leaving for something specific.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before going off for" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate an action taken before departing for a specific place or activity. While Ludwig demonstrates that its frequency is uncommon, it is mainly found in news, media, Wiki and science contexts. When writing, ensure the destination or purpose is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "prior to leaving for" or "before heading towards" depending on the desired level of formality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before heading towards

Similar to before going, but uses a different verb.

prior to leaving for

Emphasizes the temporal sequence before departing for a place or activity.

just before leaving to

Specifies immediacy of the action prior to departure.

ahead of departing to

Highlights an action taken in anticipation of leaving for a location.

before setting out towards

Focuses on the preparation before starting a journey or activity.

prior to embarking on

Emphasizes the beginning of a significant journey or undertaking.

previous to venturing into

Indicates an action taken before embarking on a new venture or experience.

leading up to departing toward

Suggests a series of events culminating in a departure.

in anticipation of traveling to

Stresses the expectation and preparation for an upcoming trip.

preceding the journey to

Highlights the events that occur just before the start of a journey.

FAQs

How can I use "before going off for" in a sentence?

You can use "before going off for" to describe an action taken prior to departing for a specific place or activity. For example, "I need to finish my report before going off for the weekend".

What are some alternatives to "before going off for"?

Some alternatives include "prior to leaving for", "ahead of departing to", or "before heading towards" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to use "before going off for"?

The phrase "before going off for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "prior to leaving for" might be preferable in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "before going off for" and "before leaving for"?

While similar, "before going off for" often implies a more casual or temporary departure, whereas "before leaving for" can be used for more significant or permanent departures. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.