before he exits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before he exits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action or event that should occur prior to someone's departure or exit from a place or situation. Example: "Please make sure to discuss the project details with him before he exits the meeting room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"My legs stood up!" he says, just before he exits.

The New Yorker

Pondering retirement, Rafter has been desperate to add Wimbledon to his two United States Open titles before he exits.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump may one day have to abandon the post he inhabits, but he plans to reduce the village to ashes before he exits.

The New York Times

Mr. Kaufman, 70, seems determined to put his experience inside and outside of the institution to work before he exits at the end of next year.

The New York Times

[C2.] Clinton to Consider Milken Pardon Before he exits the White House next month, President Clinton might shower pardons on a host of people, including several Whitewater figures and, most notably, Michael R. Milken, left, the former Wall Street financier.

The New York Times

"Honor ourselves as we pass through time?" At the finale, a Cinderella moment in the empty stadium after the World Series has ended, Lemming turns to Marzac just before he exits.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Jets were bracing for similarly disheartening news with McElroy, who said he popped his right thumb back into place just before he exited.

The New York Times - Sports

(Mr. Pawlenty, for instance, had similar overall numbers before he exited the race, although he did a tick or two better than Mr. Perry among independents).

The New York Times

Rick Perry, meanwhile, who also dropped out of the race in September, was spending his money even more quickly before he exited.

The New York Times

Well before he exited the Earth's atmosphere, John Glenn flew at least 149 combat missions — 59 during World War II and 90 during the Korean War.

The Washington Post

Skrtel was able to continue after lengthy treatment but not so Sahin, whose rare start lasted only 12 minutes before he exited with a bloody nose.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before he exits", ensure the context clearly indicates the place or situation from which he is departing. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "he" has a clear referent. If there's any possibility of confusion, replace "he" with the person's name or a more specific identifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before he exits" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time relationship. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and can specify the timing of events relative to someone's departure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before he exits" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something should occur prior to someone's departure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts like news and media. While relatively common, alternative phrases such as "prior to his departure" or "before he leaves" can offer greater formality or nuance. It's crucial to ensure the context clearly specifies the person and place of departure, as well as avoid potential ambiguity in pronoun reference. This phrase offers writers a direct way to express temporal relationships centered around an individual's departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before he departs

Uses a slightly more formal verb.

just prior to his exit

Similar in meaning but more formal.

prior to his departure

Replaces the phrase with a more formal tone and noun-based structure.

before his leaving

Uses a gerund form, emphasizing the action of leaving.

ahead of his departure

Highlights the temporal aspect of the exit.

in anticipation of his exit

Emphasizes expecting and preparing for his leaving.

until his exit

Highlights the period leading up to his exit.

before his departure occurs

Adds formality by using the verb 'occurs'.

leading up to his exit

Focuses on the period preceding his departure.

on the verge of his leaving

Suggests that his exit is imminent.

FAQs

What does "before he exits" mean?

The phrase "before he exits" means prior to the moment someone leaves or departs from a particular place or situation. It indicates that something should happen or be completed before their departure.

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

You can use "before he exits" to specify a condition or action that must occur before someone leaves. For example: "Make sure to get his approval "before he exits" the meeting."

What are some alternatives to saying "before he exits"?

Some alternatives include "prior to his departure", "before he leaves", or "ahead of his departure". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar meaning. For example, you can replace "before he exits" with "prior to his departure".

Is it correct to say "prior to him exiting" instead of "before he exits"?

Yes, "prior to him exiting" is grammatically correct, although it is more formal. "Before he exits" is more common and generally preferred in everyday conversation, while "prior to him exiting" might be more appropriate in formal writing.