before he comes

USAGE SUMMARY

'before he comes' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically expresses a sense of the anticipation of something happening in the future, i.e. "Before he comes, I'd like to tidy up the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In wrestling head-on with themes he's covered more elusively before, he comes close to joining his protagonist in the fruitless activity that gives the play its title.

The New York Times

(Death toys with our sense of self-grandeur before he comes for us).

The New York Times - Books

Someone, please, tell Patrick Ewing before he comes back and -- heaven forbid -- plays.

The New York Times - Sports

"The owner of the rig, once he goes overseas, it's two years minimum before he comes back," Mr. Wall said.

The New York Times

Anyway, there is a lengthy introduction before he comes on stage to claim his award.

The Guardian

We have to make sure he's spot on before he comes back".

The Guardian - Sport

"You know exactly what your character's been doing before he comes onstage," said Nicholas Woodeson, who plays Teddy.

The New York Times

Should she try to take a bath fast and get it over with before he comes home?

The New Yorker

The treatment before he comes home costs about £30 and there are costs involved with taking him through the Eurotunnel.

The Guardian - Travel

He makes sure he pauses just before he comes set and breaks his hands by his chest as his leg comes down.

The New York Times - Sports

But having a partner pull out before he comes is NOT a method of contraception and leaves women at risk of pregnancy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before he comes" to clearly indicate actions that should be completed or considered in anticipation of someone's arrival or return. For example, "Let's review the documents before he comes back from his trip."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in contexts where the arrival is uncertain or hypothetical. "Before he comes, if he comes," is redundant and grammatically awkward. Use alternative constructions to express uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before he comes" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the timing of an event in relation to someone's arrival. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Informal

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before he comes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase functioning as a temporal conjunction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it serves to denote actions or conditions preceding someone's arrival, as shown in the Ludwig examples. While its register is generally neutral, it is most frequently observed in News & Media. To vary your writing, consider alternatives such as "prior to his arrival" or "in anticipation of his arrival". Ensure correct tense usage and be mindful of potential redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to his arrival

Formal alternative emphasizing the time preceding his arrival.

ahead of his coming

Emphasizes the anticipation of his arrival.

in anticipation of his arrival

Highlights the act of anticipating his coming.

until he arrives

Focuses on the period leading up to his arrival.

before his return

Specifically refers to a situation where he is returning to a place.

previous to his appearance

More formal, highlighting his appearance rather than just arrival.

leading up to his arrival

Describes the period before he gets there.

in advance of his visit

Implies preparation for his arrival or visit.

sooner than his arrival

Highlights the temporal aspect of something happening before his arrival.

by the time he arrives

Focuses on completing an action by the time he arrives.

FAQs

How can I use "before he comes" in a sentence?

Use "before he comes" to specify an action that should be completed or a state that should exist prior to someone's arrival. For example, "Make sure all the reports are finalized "before he comes" to the office".

What is a formal alternative to "before he comes"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to his arrival". This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate.

What can I say instead of "before he comes" to emphasize anticipation?

To emphasize anticipation, you might use "in anticipation of his arrival" or "ahead of his coming", which highlights the act of expecting someone's presence.

Is "before he comes" always related to a physical arrival?

While often related to a physical arrival, "before he comes" can also refer to the time leading up to an event or decision. For instance, "Consider all the options "before he decides"" uses a similar structure in a non-physical context.