before he leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

"before he leaves" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to something that will happen before a certain event takes place, such as leaving a place. For example, "I'll have to make sure I finish my work before he leaves for his vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is his custom before he leaves her.

The New Yorker

Before he leaves office, should President Obama pardon Edward Snowden?

The New Yorker

Before he leaves he advises her to go to Johannesburg.

The New Yorker

How many housemates will Stephen convert before he leaves?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He might consider twinning us with Dubai before he leaves.

The Guardian

Calderón does not have time to finish the job before he leaves office in December.

The New York Times

If he sticks, Jarboe could be offered a standard three-year contract before he leaves.

The New York Times

Before he leaves, though, he discovers that his father needs his diaper changed.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama has pledged to do this before he leaves office.

The New York Times

Before he leaves the den, Beowulf beheads Grendel's corpse, lying nearby.

The New Yorker

The South's Mr Kim would like that to happen before he leaves office in February 2003.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before he leaves" to clearly indicate the sequence of events, ensuring that the action described happens prior to the departure. For example, "Make sure to say goodbye before he leaves for the airport."

Common error

Avoid using future tenses incorrectly with "before he leaves". For instance, it's generally incorrect to say "I will tell him before he will leave"; instead, use "I will tell him before he leaves."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before he leaves" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main verb in a sentence. It specifies when an action takes place in relation to someone's departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before he leaves" serves as a clear and effective way to indicate that an action must occur prior to someone's departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used. It functions as an adverbial clause of time, primarily found in news and media, but also appearing across various contexts. When writing, be sure to use the correct tense and consider alternative phrases such as "prior to his departure" or "just before his exit" for stylistic variation. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as he is about to leave

Expresses immediate future action, synonymous with the original phrase.

prior to his departure

Formal alternative using a noun phrase instead of a clause.

preceding his departure

Employs a more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

ahead of his leaving

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate timing before departure.

before his exit

Replaces "leaves" with "exit" for a slightly more formal tone.

just before his exit

Substitutes "leaves" with "exit" to imply a departure.

in anticipation of his leaving

Focuses on preparing for his departure.

leading up to his departure

Highlights the period immediately preceding his departure.

on the verge of his leaving

Emphasizes the imminence of his departure.

until his leaving

Indicates a duration up to the point of his departure.

FAQs

How to use "before he leaves" in a sentence?

Use "before he leaves" to describe an action that occurs prior to his departure. For example, "Ensure all documents are signed "before he leaves" the office".

What can I say instead of "before he leaves"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to his departure", "ahead of his leaving", or "just "before his exit" depending on the context".

Which is correct, "before he leaves" or "before he will leave"?

"Before he leaves" is generally correct. The future tense is usually not necessary in the 'before' clause. Use "before he leaves", not "before he will leave".

What's the difference between "before he leaves" and "after he leaves"?

"Before he leaves" indicates something happening prior to his departure, whereas "after he leaves" indicates something happening subsequent to his departure. They describe opposite sequences of events.