before the game started

USAGE SUMMARY

"before the game started" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the time period before a game began. For example: "The stadium was filled with excitement before the game started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was rectified before the game started.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't know who he was before the game started.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was homecoming, right before the game started.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was over before the game started today".

The New York Times - Sports

Even before the game started, Smith watched the introduction of the Pelicans with obsessive focus.

The New Yorker

Their chanting, even before the game started, could easily be heard more than 15 blocks away.

The New York Times

We took the train from Manhattan and arrived just before the game started.

The New York Times

Before the game started, United's youth team were on the pitch with a ninth Youth Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

I'd take 500 swings a day and lose my edge before the game started".

The New York Times - Sports

Yet Thursday night, an hour before the game started, thousands were cheering in unison.

The New Yorker

Before the game started, I walked all the way around the Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a younger audience, you can use alternatives such as "before the game began".

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when referring to an event that occurred "before the game started". For example, instead of "He arrives before the game started", use "He arrived before the game started".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the game started" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating the timing of an event in relation to the commencement of a game. It serves to specify that something occurred prior to the game's beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the game started" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates an action or event occurred prior to the commencement of a game. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English. Its usage is most common in News & Media, reflecting its relevance in reporting and commentary. While versatile, it is important to maintain consistent tense usage when employing the phrase. Consider alternatives like "prior to game kickoff" for stylistic variety. The numerous examples available through Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's broad applicability and correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the beginning of the game

Replaces "started" with "beginning", offering a slightly more formal tone.

prior to game kickoff

Replaces "started" with a more specific term related to game beginnings, and uses "prior to" instead of "before".

ahead of the game starting

Uses "ahead of" which offers a slightly less formal alternative to "before".

in advance of the game's start

Similar meaning but emphasizes preparation or anticipation.

preceding the commencement of the game

A more formal and emphatic way of saying before the game began.

before the initial whistle

Uses a specific action (whistle) to denote the start of a game, typically in sports.

leading up to the game's commencement

Emphasizes the period leading to the game's start with a formal tone.

in the moments before the game began

Highlights the immediate moments before the game, adding a sense of immediacy.

in anticipation of the game starting

Focuses on the expectation and lead-up to the game, rather than a simple temporal marker.

antetime

Short, informal version.

FAQs

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

Use "before the game started" to specify that something happened in the period leading up to the commencement of a game. For example, "The coach gave a pep talk before the game started".

What are some alternatives to saying "before the game started"?

You could use phrases like "prior to game kickoff", "leading up to the game's commencement", or "in advance of the game's start" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prior to the game started"?

While "prior to" is a correct preposition, it's more common and natural to say "before the game started". "Prior to the game starting" is also acceptable, but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "before the game started" and "before the game starts"?

"Before the game started" refers to a past event, while "before the game starts" refers to a future event. For example, "We practiced before the game started" (past), and "We will eat dinner before the game starts" (future).