before the arrival of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the arrival of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time period or event that occurs prior to someone or something arriving. Example: "We need to finalize the preparations before the arrival of the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- before the arrival of Jimbo and McNasty.

The New York Times - Sports

This was long before the arrival of the IPCC investigators.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Afghanistan special inspector general's office was no different before the arrival of Mr. Sopko.

The New York Times

They narrowly pictured the Amazon rainforest as a primeval wilderness before the arrival of Europeans.

The Guardian

Before the arrival of the tube, we would get drunk only on naturally fermented wine.

The New Yorker

Before the arrival of Europeans, larger aboriginal settlements often were concentrated at seasonal meeting places.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Algonquian-speaking Delaware Indians inhabited the region before the arrival of European colonists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indians of the Iroquois Confederacy were native to the region before the arrival of white settlers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Maya knew the concoction since well before the arrival of Columbus.

The Economist

It became an important religious centre before the arrival of the Moors in ad 717.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We haven't done French," he said, at least before the arrival of Montmartre.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before the arrival of", ensure the sentence clearly establishes what exists or occurs in that prior timeframe. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "before the arrival of" when a simpler preposition like "before" suffices. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily wordy and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the arrival of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a time preceding an event. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the arrival of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase commonly used to denote a time preceding an event or person's coming. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While highly versatile, simpler alternatives like "before" might be preferable in informal settings to avoid wordiness. Its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the advent of

Replaces 'arrival' with 'advent', suggesting a significant event or innovation.

in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation and preparation leading up to an arrival.

preceding the entrance of

Emphasizes the act of entering rather than just arriving.

previous to the coming of

A more formal way of saying "before the arrival of".

leading up to the appearance of

Highlights the events that culminate in something or someone appearing.

antedating the appearance of

Suggests a more formal or scientific context, emphasizing chronological order.

in advance of someone's coming

Uses 'coming' instead of 'arrival', which can sound slightly less formal.

pre-dating the entrance of

Emphasizes that something existed before the entrance.

ahead of the influx of

Replaces 'arrival' with 'influx', implying a large number or amount arriving.

before the presence of

Focuses on the state of being present, rather than the act of arriving.

FAQs

How can I use "before the arrival of" in a sentence?

You can use "before the arrival of" to indicate a period or state existing prior to someone or something's arrival. For example, "The town was quiet "before the arrival of" tourists."

What are some alternatives to "before the arrival of"?

Alternatives include "prior to the arrival of", "before the advent of", or simply "before", depending on the context. The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "before the arrival of" and "prior to the arrival of"?

While both phrases are similar in meaning, "prior to the arrival of" is generally considered more formal than "before the arrival of". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

Can I use "before the arrival of" in all types of writing?

"Before the arrival of" is appropriate for most types of writing, but consider your audience and the overall tone. In very informal contexts, a simpler word like "before" might be more suitable.