before the children started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the children started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that occurred prior to the children beginning an activity or event. Example: "We made sure everything was ready before the children started their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Before the children started classes in September, the family did not have the money for art and school supplies, or a uniform for Genesis.

The New York Times

However, in the participants experience it was not before the children started to approach their first school year that their excess weight began to be a problem for the child and the parents.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Therefore, we decided to perform surgery before the children start walking.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Before the children start with their SST sessions, the teacher has one meeting with the therapists concerning (further) education on ASDs, explanation of the SST and specific behavioral instructions.

BMC Psychiatry

It may be hypothesised that being left behind at a younger age (for example, when under 6 years of age before the children start school) may have a stronger adverse effect on children's subsequent growth than being left behind at later stages of childhood — a so-called 'critical period hypothesis' [ 12].

BMC Public Health

The antecedent (A) refers to precisely what occurred immediately before the child started behaving badly, and the consequence (C) refers to what occurred immediately after the child's bad behavior (B).

WikiHow

The problems for many of the children start even before they register for school.

The New York Times

Moreover, the optimal timing for surgery still remains controversial, although some authors suggest surgery within the first year of life, just before the child starts to walk [17].

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

A number of parents use it consciously and abide rigorously for the sake of reinforcing the minority language ("I never ever speak to my child in the community language, no matter where we are and who we talk to") because they believe that their mother tongue needs to be reinforced before the child starts school so that he or she didn't drop this language.

Huffington Post

The parents will simulate diabetes by wearing a pump containing saline and test their blood glucose before the child starts insulin pump treatment.

BMC Pediatrics

If s/he has never seen the pet before, a nice introduction is a nice start before the child starts to care for the pet.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before the children started", ensure it's followed by a clear indication of the activity or event being referenced. This provides context and avoids ambiguity. For example: "Before the children started their game, they stretched."

Common error

Avoid using "before the children started" without specifying what they started. This can leave the reader wondering, leading to confusion. Always provide clear context for the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the children started" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, indicating the timing of an event in relation to the commencement of an action by children. It sets the stage for describing something that occurred in advance of the children's involvement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the children started" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a period or event preceding the commencement of an action by children. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While versatile, clarity is crucial; always specify what the children started to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases, such as "prior to the children beginning", can add formality. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's function, purpose, and usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the children beginning

Replaces "before" with the more formal "prior to" and uses the gerund "beginning" instead of "started".

before the youngsters began

Replaces "children" with the synonym "youngsters" and "started" with "began".

ahead of the children commencing

Substitutes "before" with "ahead of" and "started" with the more formal "commencing".

prior to the kids starting

Uses the more informal "kids" instead of "children" and "prior to" instead of "before".

previous to the children's commencement

A more formal alternative using "previous to" and "commencement".

in advance of the children beginning

Replaces "before" with "in advance of" and uses "beginning" instead of "started".

in anticipation of the children's start

Uses a more anticipatory tone, focusing on the expectation of the children starting.

before the children initiated their activity

Adds specificity by mentioning the "activity" being initiated.

leading up to the children's initiation

Emphasizes the period leading up to the moment the children begin something.

in preparation for the children's start

Focuses on the preparatory actions taken before the children's start.

FAQs

What does "before the children started" mean?

The phrase "before the children started" indicates a time or event that happened prior to the children commencing an activity or entering a specific state. The context provides information about the activity or situation.

How can I rephrase "before the children started" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "prior to the children beginning" or "in advance of the children beginning". These options offer a more sophisticated and polished style.

Is it correct to say "prior to the children started"?

While "prior to" and "before" are similar, "prior to the children beginning" is grammatically better. Using a gerund after "prior to" makes the sentence flow smoother and sound more polished.

What are some common situations where I might use the phrase "before the children started"?

This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as describing preparations made before a school year began, setting rules before a game, or discussing interventions implemented before a child's health issues became severe.