before that happens

USAGE SUMMARY

'before that happens' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has not yet occurred but is expected to happen in the future. For example: "We need to take precautions before that happens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And I truly believe it's going to be a matter of time before that happens".

The New York Times - Sports

Let's go before that happens.

The Guardian - Books

I want us reunified before that happens".

The Guardian - Books

And before that happens, I'm buying more guns".

Independent

But it may take more deaths before that happens.

The Economist

There are many more miles to go before that happens.

The Economist

Before that happens, however, other elements come into play.

The New Yorker

"They don't want to change their conduct before that happens".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I should have moved out years before that happened".

The New York Times

I'd never seen that happen before".

The New York Times - Sports

I have never seen that happen before".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before that happens" to clearly indicate a necessary sequence of events, ensuring the context makes it clear what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "before that happens" if the context doesn't clearly establish what "that" refers to. Always ensure the antecedent is evident to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before that happens" serves as an adverbial conjunction, linking two clauses and indicating the temporal sequence between them. It specifies that an action or event must precede another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before that happens" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase functioning as an adverbial conjunction to denote temporal sequence and contingency. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, clarity is key: ensure the context makes the reference of "that" unambiguous. It's most frequently found in news and media, fitting for neutral or semi-formal registers. Alternatives like "before that occurs" or "prior to that" can offer more formal tones. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "before that happens" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before that occurs

Replaces "happens" with the more formal "occurs".

before that transpires

Substitutes "happens" with "transpires", adding a layer of formality.

prior to that occurring

Replaces "before" with "prior to", and "happens" with "occurring", resulting in a more formal tone.

in anticipation of that

Shifts the focus to anticipation rather than sequence.

in advance of that event

Adds specificity by referring to "that" as "that event".

to prevent that from happening

Emphasizes prevention of the event rather than its sequence.

sooner than that occurs

Focuses on timing by using sooner.

before that comes to pass

Replaces "happens" with the more figurative "comes to pass".

lest that should happen

Introduces a sense of caution or warning.

in preparation for that

Highlights the preparatory aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "before that happens" in a sentence?

Use "before that happens" to indicate that one event must occur before another. For example, "We need to secure funding "before that happens"."

What are some alternatives to "before that happens"?

Alternatives include "before that occurs", "prior to that", or "in advance of that", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "before that happens"?

Starting a sentence with "before that happens" is grammatically correct, but ensure the context is clear. A smoother flow might be achieved by restructuring the sentence to integrate the phrase.

How does "before that happens" differ from "after that happens"?

"Before that happens" indicates a necessary prior action, while "after that happens" implies a subsequent action. The phrases describe opposite sequences of events.