before she goes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before she goes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that must be met prior to a female subject leaving or departing. Example: "I need to talk to her before she goes to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Monday afternoons, Josefina Mendez now does something she has never done before: She goes to see a psychotherapist.

The New York Times - Science

Before she goes.

The New Yorker

Before she goes, I ask her where she lives.

The New York Times

Keisha looks for it before she goes to bed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Just before she goes inside, their eyes meet again.

The New Yorker

It won't be long before she goes under.

The New York Times

"Normally we give her a problem before she goes to bed".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Before she goes to bed, she kisses Emily, Danny, and Mike, and she also kisses me".

The New Yorker

Description of Mrs. G's last evening before she goes home to England.

The New Yorker

All she has before she goes out is a cup of tea with milk.

The New York Times

Just before she goes on stage, Bridgett Ann Goddard takes me through a few moves.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before she goes", ensure the context clearly establishes who 'she' refers to, especially if there are multiple female subjects in the text. For enhanced clarity, consider specifying the location or destination to which she is going.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the clause containing "before she goes" as close as possible to the main clause it modifies. For instance, instead of "She finished her work quickly before she goes to the party", consider "Before she goes to the party, she finished her work quickly" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before she goes" functions as a temporal clause, indicating that the action in the main clause happens prior to the subject's departure. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before she goes" functions as a temporal clause, commonly used to indicate the timing of an event in relation to a female subject's departure. Ludwig's analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure clarity in pronoun reference and avoid ambiguous phrasing. Alternatives such as "prior to her departure" or "just before she departs" can add variety to your writing. The phrase's prevalence and versatility make it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just before she departs

Emphasizes the immediacy and closeness to the moment of leaving.

before her departure

More formal and concise; focuses on the act of leaving itself.

prior to her leaving

Formal alternative; emphasizes the period leading up to her departure.

leading up to her departure

Focuses on the events and time period preceding her leaving.

on the verge of her leaving

Emphasizes the imminence and potentially sudden nature of the departure.

in anticipation of her leaving

Highlights the expectation or preparation for her departure.

in advance of her going

Stresses the proactive aspect of acting before she leaves.

right before she's off

Informal; adds a sense of casualness to the impending departure.

ere she leaves

Archaic and poetic; replaces "before" with a more antiquated term.

until she leaves

Highlights the period leading up to her departure as a continuous stretch of time.

FAQs

How can I use "before she goes" in a sentence?

The phrase "before she goes" introduces a dependent clause specifying a time frame prior to a female individual's departure. Example: "Make sure you say goodbye "before she goes" to the airport".

What are some alternatives to "before she goes"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "prior to her departure", "just before she departs", or "leading up to her departure".

Is it ever incorrect to use "before she goes"?

While generally correct, overuse or repetitive use in close proximity can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and phrasing by incorporating alternatives like "prior to her leaving".

What's the difference between "before she goes" and "after she goes"?

"Before she goes" indicates actions or events that occur prior to her departure, while "after she goes" refers to events that happen subsequently. They denote opposite temporal sequences. E.g. "Before she goes, let's eat dinner" versus "After she goes, I'll clean up".