before taking it over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before taking it over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time or a condition that must be met prior to assuming control or responsibility for something. Example: "Please ensure all tasks are completed before taking it over to avoid any confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We're talking to the owner, Sandra, who worked here for 13 years before taking it over.

The Guardian - Travel

The report said the BBC, which had originally commissioned Siemens to build the system in 2008 before taking it over a year later, "did not assess the value for money and risks" of doing the job itself and did not check its plans for DMI with independent experts.

The Guardian

By W. Gutman and E. B. White The New Yorker, February 20 , 1937P. 9 Note For Locomotophobiacs: When the streamlined train came into Portland from Bangor the other evening, on its way to Boston, the engineer leaned out and said to the relief engineer, "Say, what's this valve, anyway?" The relief manexplained it, before taking it over.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Before we took it over," he says, "[the studios] were losing about half a million pounds a year.

The Guardian - Film

The group operated a lucrative protection racket in Mosul, Iraq's second city, long before it took it over on June 10th with the help of allied Sunnis disgruntled with the government in Baghdad.

The Economist

Once a branch of Crédit Lyonnais, 59 rue de Rivoli had been abandoned for 15 years before squatters took it over in 1999 and began using it for exhibitions and performances.

The Economist

The year before Murphy took it over, JLM was $260,000 in the red on revenues of $7.1 million.

Forbes

To [paraphrase] Bradford Young, "Anytime you intentionally marginalize black people, it's just a matter of time before we'll take it over".

Vice

Wednesday December 12 Olivant threatens to pull its bid unless Northern Rock's board promises to decide who will take it over before Christmas.

The Guardian - Business

They attacked the right edge and when Richie McCaw delivered a high pass to Jerome Kaino, the flanker juggled the ball before taking it and going over int he corner.

Independent

Controversy over the potential environmental impact dogged the project even before DP World took it over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before taking it over", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is assuming control and what 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "before taking it over" without specifying the 'it'. Always clarify what is being taken over to prevent confusion, especially in technical or complex scenarios.

Linguistic Context

"Before taking it over" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the timing of an action. It sets a chronological order, specifying that something must occur prior to assuming control, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before taking it over" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate actions or conditions that must be met prior to assuming control or responsibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to explicitly state what 'it' refers to. Avoid ambiguous usage by always specifying the subject being taken over. Alternatives like "prior to assuming control" or "ahead of taking charge" can be used to vary your writing. Remember to differentiate its meaning from "after taking it over" to accurately convey the sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to assuming control

Emphasizes the formal act of gaining control, suitable for business contexts.

before assuming responsibility

Focuses on the responsibility aspect, ideal for delegation scenarios.

ahead of taking charge

Highlights the proactive nature of the action, implying preparation.

in advance of assuming command

Suggests a more authoritative transfer of power, suitable for military or organizational hierarchy.

preceding the takeover

Highlights the event before acquisition.

prior to its acquisition

Focuses on the event before the subject was acquired.

before the transition

Focuses on the handover event.

leading up to the management change

Indicates the timeframe before a shift in leadership.

in anticipation of taking the reins

Implies excitement or eagerness about a coming role.

before assuming duties

Focuses on the work that one must complete

FAQs

How can I use "before taking it over" in a sentence?

Use "before taking it over" to describe an action or condition that occurs prior to assuming control or responsibility of something. For example, "Ensure all documents are reviewed "before taking it over"."

What are some alternatives to "before taking it over"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prior to assuming control", "before assuming responsibility", or "ahead of taking charge", each offering a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

What is the difference between "before taking it over" and "after taking it over"?

"Before taking it over" refers to the period preceding the assumption of control, while "after taking it over" refers to the period following the assumption of control. The timing is reversed, affecting the sequence of events.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prior taking it over" instead of "before taking it over"?

No, "prior taking it over" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "before taking it over" or "prior to taking it over". "Prior" requires a preposition such as "to".