before it aired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before it aired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to events or actions that took place prior to the broadcast of a television show or program. Example: "The producers made several changes to the script before it aired to ensure it would resonate with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Whereas if they would have recognized its misogyny and addressed that before it aired... Well, it might have been the best show".

Huffington Post

Parker and Stone said "Dead Celebrities" was a particularly challenging episode to make they were up all night working on it the day before it aired, and did not finish until 11 a.m. on its broadcast date.

Wikipedia

She was fired before it aired.

The New Yorker

She reportedly had not seen it before it aired.

The Guardian

Again: did anyone watch this before it aired?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ric saw exactly that much of Ken's documentary "Baseball" before it aired.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The deal ensures that the 2012 Oscars' likely Best Picture winner "The Artist" will make its American debut on Netflix before it airs on any paid television network.

Huffington Post

"Deep Breath", featuring Peter Capaldi as the twelfth Time Lord, will debut on 7 August in the Welsh capital, three weeks before it airs on BBC One.

Independent

"This is a way to get people talking about the show a month before it airs," said Craig E. Engler, general manager of SciFi.com.

The New York Times - Arts

That means you'd be able to look up the results of the show before it airs on TV.

TechCrunch

With other technologies, "you have to hold [the device] up to something that was pre-processed, or was integrated through the production process, where you have to take the feed and process it before it airs on TV".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before it aired" to clearly indicate actions or events that occurred prior to a television show or program's broadcast.

Common error

Avoid using "before it airs" when referring to a past event. Ensure the tense aligns with the context to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before it aired" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurred in relation to a television program's broadcast. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in specifying the timing of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

27%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

TechCrunch

2%

Independent

2%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before it aired" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurred prior to a television broadcast. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is primarily temporal, setting a clear timeline for events. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its utility in describing the production, marketing, or reception of television programs. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense and consider the context to choose the most appropriate alternative if needed. Common alternatives include "prior to its broadcast" or "ahead of its release". While many sources use this expression, remember to check Ludwig's examples to grasp the subtle nuances and ensure accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to its broadcast

Formal alternative, emphasizing the broadcast event.

ahead of its release

Focuses on the general release rather than specifically airing.

in advance of its screening

Highlights the screening aspect of the broadcast.

preceding its transmission

A more technical or formal way to say before it was broadcast.

leading up to its premiere

Emphasizes the period leading to the first showing.

before its debut

Focuses on the first appearance or introduction.

in anticipation of its airing

Highlights the expectation leading to the broadcast.

prior to going on air

Focuses on the act of going on air.

before its telecast

Similar to broadcast, emphasizing the telecasting aspect.

previous to its airing

A slightly more formal and less common phrasing.

FAQs

What does "before it aired" mean?

The phrase "before it aired" means prior to a television program, show, or advertisement being broadcast on television.

How can I use "before it aired" in a sentence?

You can use "before it aired" to describe events or actions that happened before a program was broadcast, for example: "The network made several changes to the show "before it aired"".

What can I say instead of "before it aired"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to its broadcast", "ahead of its release", or "in advance of its screening" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Check other alternatives in "related phrases".

Is it correct to say "prior to it airing" instead of "before it aired"?

While "prior to it airing" is grammatically correct, "before it aired" is more common and natural-sounding in most contexts. Consider the formality of your writing when choosing between the two.