before starting to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before starting to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a preliminary action that should occur prior to the act of making something. Example: "Before starting to make dinner, I need to gather all the ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If the -f option is not given, ask for confirmation before starting to make changes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

GA: Well, yes, because you also had to do a location search as well before starting to make it.

The Guardian - Film

The Brooklyn-based Korean-American playwright Young Jean Lee studied Shakespeare at Berkeley for ten years before starting to make her own theatre.

The New Yorker

And, indeed, in the good old days of the criminal bar – when rookies survived on scraps for the first few years before starting to make decent money – it would have been.

The Guardian

Others, like the number-three donor, Ted Stanley, whose fortune comes from a collectibles company he founded, have waited until later in life before starting to make big gifts.

The New Yorker

So that often means sitting on your hands, waiting for Version 1 to sell out before starting to make Version 2. But when you're doing just-in-time manufacturing, you can change the product every day if you want — whether to take advantage of some better or cheaper component or to improve the design.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Make sure you ask your parent or guardian before starting to work and make sure to be careful when working.

WikiHow

"I add just the right amount of seasonings to the meat just before I start to make it so each burger I create is different from the last".

The New York Times

Ever immediately starts to flirt with a boy who never used to notice her before and starts to make friends with the popular crew.

The Guardian

Tyson had to sink further before he started to make anything from his aggression.

The Guardian - Sport

RP: I took notes on Zen before I started to make the trip.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before starting to make", ensure that the subsequent clause clearly outlines the task or item being created. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what needs preparation before actually "starting to make" something. For instance, instead of saying "Before starting to make, gather your tools", specify "Before starting to make a cake, gather your ingredients and baking equipment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before starting to make" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating temporal precedence. It sets up a sequence of actions where one action (the preparation) must occur before another (the beginning of the making process). Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

37%

Science

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before starting to make" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a necessary preliminary action. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it functions as a prepositional phrase providing guidance or instruction, ensuring preparation is undertaken before the initiation of a task. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to general instructions. While alternatives exist, choosing "before starting to make" offers a clear and accessible way to communicate the importance of preparation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ahead of beginning to produce

Uses "ahead of" instead of "before" and "produce" instead of "make", providing a subtle variation in phrasing.

before one begins crafting

Uses "one begins" for a slightly more impersonal or formal tone and replaces "make" with "crafting".

before initiating the creation process

Emphasizes the act of creating as a process, adding a layer of formality.

prior to commencing to create

Replaces "starting" with "commencing" and "make" with "create" for a more formal tone.

before embarking on the making of

Introduces a more narrative or descriptive tone, framing the making process as an "embarkation".

ahead of initiating production

Substitutes "before" with "ahead of", "starting" with "initiating", and "make" with "production", conveying a more business-oriented context.

prior to the start of construction

Specifically refers to a building or assembly context, replacing "make" with "construction".

before setting out to fashion

Replaces the common words with more descriptive or artistic language.

in advance of commencing fabrication

Offers a more technical or industrial tone, replacing everyday terms with more specialized vocabulary.

prior to undertaking the manufacture of

Adopts a highly formal and technical register, suitable for legal or industrial contexts.

FAQs

What does "before starting to make" mean?

The phrase "before starting to make" indicates a sequence of actions, advising that something should be done or prepared prior to beginning the process of creating or manufacturing something. For example, "Before starting to make dinner, wash the vegetables" means washing the vegetables should happen first.

What can I say instead of "before starting to make"?

Alternatives to "before starting to make" include phrases like "prior to making", "before beginning to create", or "ahead of producing", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and tone.

How do I use "before starting to make" in a sentence?

Use "before starting to make" to introduce a preparatory step. For example, "Before starting to make the sauce, chop the onions" shows that chopping onions is a necessary preliminary action.

What is the difference between "before starting to make" and "before making"?

"Before making" is more concise and direct, while "before starting to make" emphasizes the initiation of the making process. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis. In most contexts, "before making" is sufficient and more streamlined.