before that time

USAGE SUMMARY

"before that time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time prior to a certain point in the past. For example: "I hadn't seen my parents since before that time, when I was a little kid living in Ohio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before that time, jazz was entertainment.

The New York Times - Books

I'll go home before that time comes".

The New York Times - Sports

Then only go to bed five hours before that time.

Independent

Many neuropsychiatric disorders emerge during or before that time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Before that time, state aid was based on property value.

The New York Times

The other two arrests were made before that time.

The Guardian

Had you ever seen him before that time?

The Washington Post

Before that time, I was only marginally interested in swimming.

The New York Times - Sports

(He refused to discuss his activities before that time).

The New York Times

Despite this urging, schools across the country continue to start well before that time.

Journal of Transport Geography

Before that time, freshwater and ocean fish have the same number of teeth.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For conciseness, consider replacing "before that time" with "previously" or "earlier" if the reference point is already understood.

Common error

Avoid using "before that time" without clearly establishing what "that time" refers to. This can confuse the reader and weaken your message. Instead make sure the point in time you are referencing is very clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before that time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or state occurred in relation to a specific point in the past. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before that time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a period preceding a specified point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While synonyms like "previously" or "earlier" may sometimes offer more concise alternatives, ensure that the context remains clear. Be mindful to establish a clear reference point for "that time" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. With its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica, "before that time" stands as a reliable and versatile option for expressing temporal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to then

Similar in structure but uses "then" instead of "that time", offering a slight variation.

previously

This is a shorter, more direct synonym, suitable when the context is already clear.

earlier

Implies a time before a reference point, suitable for comparisons.

up until then

Focuses on the period leading to a specific moment.

in the past

A general term for any time before the present, less specific.

heretofore

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying before now.

in former times

Suggests a time long ago or a past era.

antecedently

A formal and less common synonym, indicating a preceding event.

beforehand

Implies preparation or action taken in advance.

ahead of schedule

Relates to instances where an action/event happens earlier than planned.

FAQs

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

You can use "before that time" to refer to a period preceding a specific moment already mentioned. For example, "The company struggled, but "before that time", it was very successful."

What phrases are similar to "before that time"?

Alternatives include "previously", "earlier", or "prior to then", depending on the specific context.

Is "before that time" formal or informal?

"Before that time" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. More formal alternatives exist, such as "heretofore", but "before that time" is widely acceptable.

What's the difference between "before that time" and "before then"?

"Before that time" and "before then" are very similar. "Before then" is often used when the context is very clear, whereas "before that time" can be used to emphasize a specific period.