before it closed

USAGE SUMMARY

"before it closed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has ended or is no longer available. Example sentence: The restaurant was popular for years before it closed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

BEFORE it closed for demolition in the fall of 2009, the Madison Beach Hotel was the kind of place you kept quiet about.

The New York Times

Long before it closed its doors, in 2004, it had repeatedly cancelled seasons and imposed layoffs.

The New Yorker

Talk: Visit to Hotel Lafayette a few days before it closed its doors forever.

The New Yorker

Before it closed its doors, it was the only women's prison centered in New York City.

HuffPost

Perhaps you were lucky enough to try the tempura course at Komatsu in Torrance before it closed its doors.

Los Angeles Times

Before it closed in February, XS Networks put out a statement on its website, protesting its innocence.

BBC

Before it closed on Veteran's Day, Divinity Tree employed 14 people at its dispensary in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.

Huffington Post

He cooked at Cena before it closed.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Its operations are to be sold or transferred before it closes next March.

The Guardian

Catch it before it closes next month.

Independent

What can the Administration get through before it closes?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before it closed" to clearly establish a timeline when discussing past events, providing context about the state or condition of something prior to its termination.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence. If you start discussing an event in the past using "before it closed", maintain past tense consistency throughout the rest of the sentence and surrounding sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before it closed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurred in relation to the closing of something. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in providing context for various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before it closed" serves as a temporal marker, setting the stage for events or conditions that existed prior to a closure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, as evidenced by its frequent occurrence in news articles, scientific publications, and wiki entries. When writing, it's important to maintain tense consistency and choose semantically similar alternatives, such as "prior to its closure", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to its closure

More formal and specific, highlighting the act of closing.

leading up to its closing

Emphasizes the period immediately before the event.

preceding its shutdown

Implies a more abrupt or forceful end.

in anticipation of its closing

Suggests knowledge or expectation of the closure.

ahead of its termination

A formal alternative that indicates the end of something.

previous to its cessation

Very formal; emphasizes the cessation or stopping.

in advance of its closing

Highlights preparing for the closure event.

until its closing

Focuses on the period leading directly up to the closure.

up until it shut down

More informal; implies a more sudden stop.

before its expiration

Suggests a natural or predetermined end.

FAQs

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

The phrase "before it closed" is typically used to provide a temporal context, indicating that something occurred or existed prior to the closure of an entity. For example, "The restaurant was popular before it closed."

What are some alternatives to saying "before it closed"?

Alternatives include "prior to its closure", "leading up to its closing", or "preceding its shutdown". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prior it closed" instead of "before it closed"?

No, "prior it closed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use in this context is "before". Using "prior to" is grammatically valid, but needs to be structured as "prior to its closure".

What's the difference between "before it closed" and "after it closed"?

"Before it closed" indicates a time period preceding the closure, while "after it closed" indicates a time period following the closure. They are opposite in temporal meaning.