before starting to use

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "before starting to use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an action that should be done before the subject begins to do something else. For example, "Before starting to use the saw, make sure you put on a pair of safety goggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

One participant had 10 such operations before starting to use Gleevec.

The New York Times

Mum and Dad, on the other hand, still live very close to theirs and will be spending the longer days of late May/early June cutting their peat into neat bricks which they'll stack and dry for a few months before starting to use it as the autumn chill approaches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Neolithic culture is the last stage before starting to use metal.

TechCrunch

Facebook solved this chicken and egg problem of starting a local discovery service with no users or data by simply building the vacuums to suck in geo-tags first and waiting years before starting to use it for recommendations.

TechCrunch

That is, the users of ACE inhibitors will have been at higher risk than non-users before starting to use the medication.

BMJ Open

Outcome measurements are planned before starting to use of the IHCA, after using the system and at three month follow-up.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We estimated that 15.5% of HIV negative women (CI 11.2-20.811.2-20.8%y 3.6% of HIV negative men (CI 1.9-5.91.9-5.9%ad never used condoms before attending the ICTC reported starting to use condoms after receiving less complete VCT, that is, without risk reduction counselling.

BMC Health Services Research

It is plausible that starting to use alcohol before the age of 18 years directly increases the risk of developing heavy alcohol use behaviours.

BioMed Research International

16 17 Starting to use cannabis before age 15 is associated with an increased likelihood of developing later psychotic disorders, increased risk of dependence, other drug use, and poor educational and psychosocial outcomes.

BMJ Open

A checklist is useful, but before you start to use it, some preparation, in the form of some serious self-analysis, is needed before you even begin reading the checklist.

Science Magazine

So each year, before vessels start to use False Pass, the US Coast Guard must send out buoy tenders to mark the shifting channels.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guidelines, clearly state any preparatory steps that must be completed "before starting to use" a tool, software, or process. This helps avoid errors and ensures proper functionality.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience knows the preliminary steps. Clearly outline what needs to be done "before starting to use" something, as skipping these steps can lead to misuse or failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before starting to use" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a time clause. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to indicate an action or preparation that must occur prior to another action. This is evident in examples where instructions or conditions are specified.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before starting to use" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a necessary preliminary action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a temporal clause and is versatile across different contexts. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and wiki sources, its purpose is to guide the audience by highlighting essential steps for effective utilization. When writing, ensure clarity by outlining preparatory steps and avoiding assumptions about the audience's prior knowledge. Consider alternatives like "prior to utilizing" for a more formal tone. Finally, as seen in Ludwig's examples, make sure to check a medical professional before use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before employing

A more concise alternative, removing "starting to" for brevity.

in preparation for using

Highlights the preparatory steps before using something.

in advance of using

Stresses the importance of acting early before using something.

prior to utilizing

Emphasizes a more formal or technical tone compared to the original phrase.

in anticipation of using

Expresses expectation that the use of something is coming.

preparatory to using

Highlights the necessary preparatory actions for proper use.

ahead of employing

Suggests a proactive approach in preparing for the use of something.

prior to application

Focuses on the act of applying something, rather than general use.

previous to the use of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing the same idea.

on the eve of employing

Implies that the use is imminent or about to happen very soon.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "before starting to use" for a more formal tone?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "prior to utilizing", "in preparation for using", or "previous to the use of" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Is it always necessary to include "starting to" in the phrase "before starting to use"?

No, the phrase can often be shortened to "before employing" without losing its meaning, especially when aiming for conciseness.

What's the difference between "before starting to use" and "after starting to use"?

"Before starting to use" indicates actions that must be completed beforehand, whereas "after starting to use" refers to actions that occur once the use has commenced. They represent opposite sequences of events.

In what situations is "before starting to use" most appropriate?

This phrase is particularly useful in instruction manuals, guidelines, and procedures where specific preparations are necessary for safe or effective use. For example, "Consult a physician "before starting to use" benzoyl peroxide."