before starting work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before starting work" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as, "I like to take a few minutes to organize my desk before starting work each day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before starting work Rulo must have a physical checkup.

The New York Times

There, he was chief designer for the new Ford Fiesta before starting work on the Fusion.

The New York Times

Is this anything that you've tried to listen in on, even before starting work?

The New York Times

Which architect visited St. Peter's before starting work on his biggest commission?

The New York Times - Arts

Some are going to the gym before starting work at the office.

The New York Times

To do this we meet individually with researchers before starting work on promotional activity.

The Guardian

In fact, Dickens reread David Copperfield before starting work on Great Expectations.

The Guardian - Books

But Kapadia remains unfazed by Mitch's comments, denying he had any agenda before starting work on the documentary.

Independent

"In fact, before starting work on the movie, I went through Hardy's novel with a pair of highlighters.

The New York Times

After that, he tours Australia and New Zealand before starting work on a non-comedy series for ITV.

The Guardian

Before starting work in Washington, Mr. Hammond was dean of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before starting work", clearly define the specific activity that occurs beforehand to provide context and clarity. For example, "Before starting work, review the project plan."

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying what action should be taken "before starting work". For instance, instead of saying "Before starting work, be prepared", clarify it as "Before starting work, gather all necessary materials".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before starting work" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an action in relation to the commencement of employment or a specific task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before starting work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to specify actions taken in preparation for beginning employment or a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and suitable for various writing contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. To enhance clarity, specify the actions performed before work. Common alternatives include "prior to commencing work" and "ahead of beginning work".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to commencing work

Replaces "before starting" with a more formal alternative, "prior to commencing".

ahead of beginning work

Uses "ahead of" instead of "before", and "beginning" in place of "starting".

in advance of starting work

Emphasizes the proactive nature of preparing "before starting work".

just before work commences

A slightly more concise way to say "before starting work".

previous to initiating work

Offers a more formal and less common substitution for "before starting".

leading up to starting work

Focuses on the period just "before starting work".

before engaging in work

Substitutes "starting" with "engaging in", giving it a formal style.

preparatory to beginning work

Replaces "before" with "preparatory to", giving a more structured nuance.

prior to the commencement of work

Emphasizes a formal start date of some work.

on the eve of starting work

Implies something happens immediately "before starting work".

FAQs

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

You can use "before starting work" to describe actions taken in preparation for work, such as "Before starting work, I always check my emails" or "Before starting work, the team meets to discuss the day's goals".

What is a formal alternative to "before starting work"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to commencing work", which can be used in professional or academic contexts to maintain a higher level of formality.

Is it better to say "before starting work" or "before working"?

While both are grammatically correct, "before starting work" typically refers to preparations or actions taken at the very beginning of a job or workday. "Before working" is a more general phrase. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What activities might someone do "before starting work"?

Activities might include reviewing emails, setting priorities, having a team meeting, or preparing necessary materials. The specific actions depend on the nature of the work.