before subsequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before subsequently" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
The term "before" indicates a prior action, while "subsequently" indicates a following action, creating a contradiction in meaning. Example: "He completed the first task before subsequently starting the second one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This was where much of the water entered the atmosphere before subsequently falling in Colorado.

The Guardian

The RFEC initially proposed giving the 28-year-old a one-year ban before subsequently acquitting him.

Independent

I'll send it to your e-mail address, which I plan to enter into my future cell phone before subsequently losing it in a public rest room.

The New Yorker

The island grew to as high as 1,050 feet (320 metres) by 1896 before subsequently disappearing, rose to 390 feet (120 metres) by 1930, and disappeared again by 1949.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prices surge until supply catches up.Mr Jacks identifies the start of past clusters of supercycles in the 1890s, 1930s and 1960s, with prices rising above trend to peaks in the 1910s, 1950s and 1970s before subsequently easing off.

The Economist

As a screenshot of the exchange posted online by Ms. Pelosi showed, Mr. Zarif added, "the man who did is now gone," before subsequently recasting that comment to offer a more charitable reading of stance taken by Iran's former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before," Marbles subsequently tweeted.

The New Yorker

Connecting, which begins at contact or before, and subsequently engaging with gatekeepers requires adaptability and effective deployment of communication techniques and influencing skills.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Diana seems to have given the Morton story tacit approval before publication; subsequently, she gave it active encouragement, making a cry for help on a national scale.

The New Yorker

Most important, perhaps, those already found to have A.D.H.D. before surgery subsequently behaved so much better in many cases that they no longer fit the criteria.

The New York Times

Even if the government is an ally, things can change rapidly, as French investors who bought Tsarist bonds before 1917 subsequently discovered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "before subsequently" as it introduces redundancy. Choose either "before" or "subsequently" to clearly indicate the sequence of events.

Common error

Don't use "before subsequently" thinking it emphasizes sequence. Using both words together creates a grammatically incorrect phrase. Instead, clarify the order using words like "then", "afterward", or restructure the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before subsequently" functions as a temporal connector, aiming to indicate a sequence of events. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect due to redundancy, as both words serve a similar function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "before subsequently" appears with common frequency across different types of sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. Both "before" and "subsequently" indicate sequence, making their combination unnecessary. To improve clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's best to choose either "before" or "subsequently", or use alternative phrases like "prior to then" or simply "then" to express chronological order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before eventually

Replaces "subsequently" with "eventually" to indicate a later outcome, removing redundancy.

prior to later

Uses "prior to" instead of "before" and "later" instead of "subsequently" for greater clarity.

beforehand, then afterward

Breaks down the sequence into two distinct parts: an action beforehand followed by another afterward.

first, then subsequently

Emphasizes the order of events with "first", retaining "subsequently" but potentially still sounding redundant.

previously, followed by

Uses "previously" to indicate an earlier action and "followed by" to connect it to the next event.

earlier, then later

Simple and direct replacement using common adverbs to denote time sequence.

in advance, subsequently

Highlights performing something "in advance" and then using "subsequently" to note the next action.

preliminarily, then afterward

Replaces the words to create a more formal tone.

initially, and then

A straightforward way to describe the sequence of events with common adverbs.

before and after

Implies a temporal ordering with a simple conjunction.

FAQs

How can I use "before" and "subsequently" correctly in one sentence?

It's generally best to avoid using "before" and "subsequently" in the same phrase because it can be redundant. You can separate them into two sentences or rephrase to use only one. For example, instead of "He reviewed the report before subsequently presenting it", try "He reviewed the report. Subsequently, he presented it."

What's a clearer way to indicate a sequence of events than "before subsequently"?

Instead of "before subsequently", use simpler transitions like "then", "afterward", or "later". For example, "She finished her work, then went home."

Is "before subsequently" grammatically correct?

No, "before subsequently" is not grammatically correct. The word "before" already implies a temporal sequence, making "subsequently" redundant. It's better to use one or the other to avoid awkward phrasing.

What are some alternatives to "before subsequently" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases like "prior to then", "thereafter", or "following that" instead of "before subsequently" to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy.