before telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one action should occur prior to another action, specifically the act of telling something. Example: "Before telling her the news, I wanted to make sure she was in a good mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But she breaks off before telling us.

The Guardian - Books

Bill had even gotten involved the day before, telling me that I needed to chip in.

Huffington Post

The two doctors check the location before telling Elvira.

The New Yorker

don't forget to grow a beard before telling me.

The Guardian - Sport

"She didn't sit down before telling the diamond story".

The Guardian

I thought awhile before telling Sam, but he was fine.

The New Yorker

Brown dated a man for a month, before telling anyone of his sexuality, aged 31.

Independent

Then — he seemed to hesitate before telling me this — "I was flying forwards.

The New Yorker

They chummily bargained for weeks and then leaked the pact's details before telling their colleagues.

The Economist

They decided to wait in the ambulance until the police arrived before telling the family.

The New Yorker

He tried to get her all the way home before telling her, but couldn't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Plan what you want to say and the order in which you will present the information "before telling" a complex or important story.

Common error

Avoid blurting out crucial information without setting the stage. Think through the best way to phrase things and ensure the listener is prepared "before telling" them something life-changing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before telling" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the temporal sequence of events. It specifies that an action occurs prior to the act of communicating or disclosing something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

27%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before telling" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action precedes the act of communicating something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. It maintains a neutral register and is frequently found in news, wiki, and science contexts. Consider the recipient's emotional state and plan your delivery "before telling" sensitive information. Be careful to avoid rushing and not preparing the listener before revealing crucial details. By considering those aspects we can use "before telling" to ensure the communication is both clear and considerate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before disclosing

Similar to "before telling" but emphasizes the act of making something known.

before informing

Directly replaces 'telling' with 'informing', which sounds slightly more official.

prior to revealing

Similar to "before telling" but uses the more formal term 'prior'.

prior to informing

Emphasizes the action of informing someone, maintaining a formal tone.

before communicating

Replaces 'telling' with a more general term for conveying information.

ahead of disclosing

Highlights the act of revealing information, often suggesting sensitivity.

previous to communicating

Focuses on the broader act of communication, offering a more formal alternative.

in advance of revealing

Stresses the preparation or timing before a revelation.

rather than announce

Suggests a choice not to make a formal announcement.

without first disclosing

Focuses on the omission of disclosure as a condition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "before telling" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "prior to informing", "in advance of revealing", or "preceding the disclosure of".

What are some alternatives to "before telling" in casual conversation?

In casual settings, you could use "before saying", "before letting on", or simply "before revealing".

Is there a difference between "before telling" and "after telling"?

"Before telling" indicates an action that happens prior to the act of communication. Conversely, "after telling" implies an action that occurs subsequent to the communication.

When should I use "before telling" versus "before asking"?

Use "before telling" when the action involves conveying information or news. Use "before asking" when the action involves posing a question or making a request. The key difference is whether you're giving information or seeking it.