before starting to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before starting to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe doing something before beginning to work on a task: "I grabbed a cup of coffee before starting to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But that means Mr. Leslie must inspect each foot for stones or minor cuts, and clean out mud and manure, before starting to work.

The New York Times

Any bidder would probably have to set aside £700 million before starting to work on the site — £500 million for the plot and £200 million toward the cost of building the two additional subway stops.

The New York Times

The students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: before starting to work, they were either shown six photographs of outdoor activities in nice weather, such as sailing or eating outdoors, or were asked to describe their daily routines.

The New Yorker

The research results were shared with executives at 160 Over 90 after the agency was hired in the spring of last year, Ms. Swain says, and "they did their own due diligence, interviewing about 200 people on campus" before starting to work on the campaign.

The New York Times

Check the management agreement to make sure any additional services and repairs are outlined and your expectations are clearly defined before starting to work together.

Forbes

As seen in the algorithm presented in this section, each consumer process waits at least 10 s before starting to work; this initial sleeping time was defined to avoid any impact of the Java runtime loading on the behavior of the consumer processes.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

All that made quite a spectacle -- not to speak of the sight of people, well before Thanksgiving, starting to work from ladders with extension cords, duct tape and boxes of lights while we were still thinking about leaf blowing.

The New York Times - Style

He participated in farmwork for years before he started to work in a factory in 1973.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He pulls on a pair of latex gloves before he starts to work.

The New York Times

"It helps that they struggled a while before it started to work," Mr. Jonas said.

The New York Times - Arts

It took a few minutes before it started to work, but then Hazel felt the warm emptiness creep over her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before starting to work", clearly define what constitutes "work" in your context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify 'before starting to work on the report' instead of just 'before starting to work'.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by clarifying the task. Saying "before starting to work" without context can confuse readers. Instead, specify: "before starting to work on the presentation", ensuring clarity and focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before starting to work" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs in relation to the commencement of work. It sets a temporal context for the main verb, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before starting to work" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate actions taken prior to beginning work. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To enhance clarity, specify the type of "work" you're referencing. Consider alternatives like "prior to commencing work" for a more formal tone. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "before starting to work" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before beginning the task

Substitutes "starting to work" with "beginning the task", focusing on the task itself.

prior to commencing work

Replaces "starting" with "commencing", adding a slightly more formal tone.

ahead of initiating work

Uses "ahead of" instead of "before" and "initiating" instead of "starting", changing the sentence structure slightly.

before setting about the work

Replaces "starting" with "setting about", changing the emphasis to preparation.

prior to engaging in work

Replaces "starting to work" with "engaging in work", providing a more formal and active construction.

before commencing the activity

Substitutes "work" with "activity", broadening the scope to any kind of action.

before embarking on the job

Uses "embarking on the job" instead of "starting to work", framing it as a journey or undertaking.

before getting down to business

Employs an idiomatic expression, indicating a shift towards focused work.

first step before starting employment

Focuses on the initial action prior to any type of employment.

in advance of initiating duties

Uses a more formal register, replacing common words with elevated vocabulary.

FAQs

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

You can use "before starting to work" to indicate an action taken prior to beginning a task. For example, "I always review my notes before starting to work on a new project".

What are some alternatives to "before starting to work"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to commencing work", "before beginning the task", or "ahead of initiating work" to add variety to your writing.

Is it more formal to say "prior to starting to work" instead of "before starting to work"?

Yes, "prior to commencing work" generally sounds more formal than "before starting to work" due to the use of "prior to" and "commencing", which are considered more elevated vocabulary.

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

"Before starting to work" refers to actions taken in preparation for a task, whereas "after finishing work" indicates actions taken upon completion of a task. They represent opposite ends of a work period.