before the class started

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "before the class started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that happened before a class or lesson. For example, "I had all my notes ready before the class started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We would have noticed Corbyn jiggling his knees before the class started, with his sheets of paper on a red wallet folder on his lap.

Independent

"He is amazing; you're in for a treat," Keri Rodgers, a sophomore Spanish major from Columbus, Ohio, told a visitor before the class started one morning last week.

The New York Times

The crowd apparently set a record for the largest registered yoga class ever, and that does not even count the hordes trapped in line, waiting to get onto the Great Lawn before the class started (35 minutes late).

The New York Times

A few years ago, we moved the formation of teams' to before the class started and in doing so, saved a week of what normally be an in-class time activity.

University of California, Berkeley

Dermott said in the lawsuit that she sent e-mails to Ujimori before the class started explaining that it would be a mixed group and that there was an optional gated-off area for small dogs.

The Washington Post

Similarly, a 2008 study led by Judith Harackiewicz of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, found that when students had their interest sparked during an introductory psychology class, they were more likely to sign up for additional psychology courses in the future, regardless of how interested they were in the subject before the class started.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We then made decisions in each lecture as to which material to actually remove from the lecture and have in what we call pre-lecture format so either a video, a vodcast that they watch before the class starts, some assigned reading, and so on.

Cornell University

Half an hour before the class starts at the Tahderriyah (preschool/kindergarten for Bangsamoro children), the Madrasah Nor-Faidah Al Islamiah in Malabang, Lanao Sur, is already teeming with excited preschoolers.

Unicef

Before the class starts, all catechist must pray together (or just ask a teacher).

WikiHow

Try to chew the gum a few minutes before the class starts, as that way most of the scent will be gone.

WikiHow

All participants had an individual interview before the classes started to assess suitability and prepare them for the course.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before the class started" to clearly indicate actions completed or events that occurred prior to the commencement of an educational session. This helps establish a timeline and context for related information.

Common error

Avoid using "before the class started" when the intended meaning is during the class or after the class. Ensure that the action described truly precedes the beginning of the class session.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the class started" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of time. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating when an action occurred in relation to the commencement of a class. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before the class started" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating it's suitable for various writing contexts. While frequently found in news, academic, and wiki sources, it can span across different registers, maintaining a largely neutral tone. Remember to use this phrase to clearly indicate that an event occurred prior to the beginning of a class, helping to establish temporal context. Alternatives like "prior to the class commencement" may suit more formal settings. Avoiding using similar but incorrect phrases will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the session began

Replaces "class" with "session" and "started" with "began", offering a slightly different nuance.

preceding the start of the class

A more formal phrasing using "preceding" instead of "before".

before the lesson commenced

This alternative employs a more formal verb, "commenced", in place of "started".

prior to the class commencement

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the official beginning of the class.

ahead of the lesson's beginning

This phrase emphasizes the lesson aspect and uses "ahead of" instead of "before".

even before the class got underway

Uses a more idiomatic expression, "got underway", to indicate the start of the class.

leading up to the class start

This alternative focuses on the period immediately preceding the class and uses "leading up to".

in advance of the class starting

This option uses "in advance of" and includes the gerund form of "start".

prior to the class's initiation

This option is highly formal, employing "initiation" for "start".

in anticipation of the class beginning

Focuses on the expectation of the class beginning and what occurs beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "before the class started" in a sentence?

You can use "before the class started" to describe actions or events that happened prior to the beginning of a class. For example, "I reviewed my notes "before the class started"".

What's a more formal alternative to "before the class started"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to the class commencement". This phrasing is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "before the class starts" instead of "before the class started"?

Yes, "before the class starts" is also correct, but it refers to the present or future. "Before the class started" refers to a specific event in the past.

What's the difference between "before class" and "before the class started"?

"Before class" is a more general term, while "before the class started" specifies a completed action prior to the beginning of a specific class session.