before the end of

USAGE SUMMARY

"before the end of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular point in time or to an event that has not yet happened. For example: I need to finish the report before the end of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The program begins before the end of my school year.

Harvard University

England need more wickets before the end of the day.

Independent

This will be done before the end of the year".

The New York Times

"It will be filed before the end of the campaign".

The New York Times

More protests are planned before the end of the month.

The Economist

All will be vacated before the end of the year.

The New York Times

Cameron has promised a referendum before the end of 2017.

Independent

We anticipate starting construction before the end of the year.

The New York Times

The couple were released before the end of the war.

The Economist

Almost 800 more died before the end of the war.

The New York Times

He bolted before the end of the record.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before the end of" to clearly indicate a deadline or timeframe for an action or event. Be specific about what 'end' refers to (e.g., "before the end of the year", "before the end of the meeting").

Common error

Avoid using "before the end of" without a clear reference point. For example, saying "finish it before the end" is unclear. Instead, specify "finish it before the end of the day" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the end of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a time expression. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when an action or event must occur in relation to a defined period. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

30%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before the end of" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that effectively sets a timeframe or deadline. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is appropriate across diverse contexts. Its frequency is high across multiple domains, particularly in news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure the "end" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "prior to the conclusion of" or "ahead of the termination of" for a more formal tone. This guide provides a complete overview of its usage, grammatical function, and common applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the conclusion of

Replaces "end" with "conclusion", offering a slightly more formal tone.

ahead of the termination of

Uses "termination" instead of "end", emphasizing a formal cessation.

preceding the completion of

Substitutes "end" with "completion", highlighting the act of finishing something.

in advance of the deadline

Focuses on the "deadline" aspect, implying that something is done earlier than required.

sooner than the close of

Emphasizes the "sooner" aspect of the time frame.

leading up to the finale of

Highlights the period leading to the "finale", often used in narrative contexts.

by the time the period ends

Explicitly states the time frame's expiration.

before the expiration of

Uses "expiration" to denote the end, common in legal or contractual contexts.

until the time runs out

Emphasizes the limited nature of the available time.

previous to the cessation of

A more formal and less common way of saying "before the end of".

FAQs

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

You can use "before the end of" to specify a deadline or timeframe, such as "The project must be completed before the end of the fiscal year" or "Please submit your applications before the end of next month".

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

Alternatives include "prior to the conclusion of", "ahead of the termination of", or "preceding the completion of". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "prior to end of" instead of "before the end of"?

While "prior to" and "before" can often be used interchangeably, "prior to the end of" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct than "prior to end of", which sounds incomplete.

How does the nuance of "before the end of" differ from "by the end of"?

"Before the end of" implies that an action must be completed at some point leading up to the end of the specified time, whereas "by the end of" sets a deadline where the action can be completed at any moment leading up to and including the last moment. For example, "Submit it before the end of Friday" indicates submission any time before Friday ends, whereas "Submit it by the end of Friday" means you can submit it anytime including 11:59 PM on Friday.