before starting to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before starting to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need to take preliminary steps or considerations prior to making improvements in a process, project, or personal development. Example: "It's essential to assess the current situation before starting to improve the workflow in our department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

The Guardian

Marianna, on email "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world".

The Guardian

In her famous diary Anne Frank said on reading: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world".

The Guardian

The jobless rate hit 10.2percentt in October, and many analysts say they believe it will keep rising before starting to improve next summer.

The New York Times

That is why analysts now expect Spain's unemployment rate to rise to as much as 30 percent before starting to improve.

The New York Times

That is why analysts now expect Spain's unemployment rate to a reach as high as 30 percent before starting to improve.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It's starting to improve, though.

The New York Times - Sports

Locally, things are starting to improve.

The Guardian

(Colombia, for example, runs advertisements in rich countries to promote its coffees, which Ethiopia cannot afford).Rick Peyser of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, an American supplier which counts Yegarcheffe among its premium coffees, thinks it will be only a matter of time before the trademarks start to improve the lives of farmers.

The Economist

But Greece's situation could start to improve before too long.

The New Yorker

Four years ago, he said, before the Italian system started to improve, he told his family to send magazines from Spain to his Vatican address, instead of to his home in Rome, "where I'm always surprised when things arrive," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before starting to improve", ensure that the context clearly defines what needs assessment or preparation is required before improvements can be effectively implemented.

Common error

Avoid using "before starting to improve" when the necessary groundwork or understanding of the current state is insufficient. Insufficient preparation can lead to ineffective or misdirected improvement efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before starting to improve" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a temporal relationship, specifying when an action or process should occur in relation to the commencement of improvements. Ludwig AI shows examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before starting to improve" is grammatically correct and serves to highlight the importance of preliminary steps before initiating any enhancement process. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts from News & Media to Science, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly specifies what preparatory actions are necessary, as insufficient groundwork can undermine the effectiveness of improvement efforts. Alternative phrases like "prior to commencing improvement" or "ahead of beginning to enhance" may be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to commencing improvement

Uses more formal vocabulary than the original phrase.

ahead of beginning to enhance

Replaces 'starting' with 'beginning' and 'improve' with 'enhance', slightly altering the tone.

before initiating betterment

Substitutes 'starting' with 'initiating' and 'improve' with the noun 'betterment'.

in advance of commencing enhancement

More formal and emphasizes the timing element.

before setting out to refine

Uses 'setting out' instead of 'starting', focusing on intention.

prior to endeavoring to advance

Employs a more sophisticated and effort-oriented vocabulary.

before taking steps to develop

Focuses on the actionable steps taken for development.

in anticipation of improving

Shifts the focus to anticipation of the improvement process.

previously to trying to better

Simple restructuring using 'previously' and 'better'.

erstwhile commencing to ameliorate

Employs antiquated vocabulary ('erstwhile', 'ameliorate') for a highly formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "before starting to improve" in a sentence?

You can use "before starting to improve" to indicate the importance of preparation or assessment before initiating enhancements. For instance, "It is crucial to analyze the data thoroughly "before starting to improve" the marketing strategy."

What is a good alternative to "before starting to improve"?

Alternatives include "prior to commencing improvement", "ahead of beginning to enhance", or "before initiating betterment", depending on the level of formality required.

Is there a subtle difference between "before starting to improve" and "after starting to improve"?

Yes, "before starting to improve" emphasizes the need for preliminary steps before any enhancement efforts, while "after starting to improve" suggests that improvements are already underway, perhaps with adjustments to follow.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "before starting to improve"?

It may be unsuitable if immediate action is required without any preparatory steps, or if the context assumes that improvement efforts should begin without prior analysis.