before the issue of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the issue of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or concern that needs to be addressed prior to a specific event or publication. Example: "We need to resolve the budget concerns before the issue of the new policy is released."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The vote was premature, he said, putting trade before the issue of protection.

The New York Times

As I've written before, the issue of FGM – which Plan UK has worked on in recent months – raises particular challenges.

The Guardian

Long before the issue of same-sex marriage grabbed the spotlight, liberal Protestant pastors in Northern California were fighting against church rules prohibiting ordination and marriage of homosexuals.

The New York Times

Macy's security officials said they painstakingly trained their staff to first decide whether to prosecute a person before the issue of civil recovery is broached.

The New York Times

They were absolved from excommunication but were not reinstated in their offices and possessions; they therefore rebelled again and fled; some of them went to Philip, with whom they had conspired, perhaps, even before the issue of Clericis Laicos.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beijing and Washington appear to be locked in a dialogue of the deaf before the issue of a U.S. Treasury Department report due April 15 to determine whether China is manipulating its exchange rate for trade advantage.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Yet a fundamental part of the sport is under scrutiny like never before, with the issue of whether jockeys should be allowed to whip their horses to make them run faster being hotly debated.

BBC

GROVER NORQUIST President, Americans for Tax Reform Washington, June 20 , 2012  To the Editor: Indeed, the time is ripe as never before on the issue of reducing incarceration rates while preserving public safety.

The New York Times

Yet three years later she did "turn" – before China, on the issue of Britain's sovereignty over Hong Kong.

The New York Times

At 10 00am today, Todd Bowers, Director of Government Affairs for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), testified before Congress about the issue of suicide among veterans.

Huffington Post

Well, before we get into the issue of cover-ups let's first discuss the nomenclature.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating a discussion, clearly define all terms and concepts before raising the core point. Starting from a shared baseline understanding ensures that readers do not get lost with jargon, thereby making your reasoning or arguments more easily comprehensible.

Common error

Avoid using "before the issue of" when a simpler preposition like "before" or "prior to" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the issue of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a temporal clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sets a chronological order, indicating that something must be addressed or considered prior to a specific problem or discussion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the issue of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a necessary precursor to a particular problem or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly frequent, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To avoid wordiness, consider simpler alternatives like "before" or "prior to" where appropriate. Remember to use the phrase to clearly indicate that the succeeding term is a cause for concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the matter of

Replaces 'issue' with 'matter', providing a slightly more formal tone.

ahead of the question of

Substitutes 'issue' with 'question', implying an inquiry or debate.

previous to the subject of

Uses 'subject' instead of 'issue', which can be more appropriate in academic contexts.

in advance of the topic of

Replaces 'issue' with 'topic', offering a broader scope of discussion.

leading up to the concern of

Uses 'concern' instead of 'issue', highlighting a potential worry or problem.

earlier than the problem of

Substitutes 'issue' with 'problem', focusing on a challenge or difficulty.

antedating the item of

Employs 'antedating' for 'before', providing a more formal and precise expression.

preceding the point of

Replaces 'issue' with 'point', emphasizing a specific detail or argument.

before the event of

Uses 'event' in place of 'issue', focusing on a specific occurrence or happening.

prior to the discussion of

Replaces 'issue' with 'discussion', focusing on a dialogue or debate.

FAQs

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

Use "before the issue of" to indicate the timing of an action or discussion in relation to a particular problem or subject. For example, "We need to address safety concerns before the issue of increasing production is raised."

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

Some alternatives include "prior to the matter of", "ahead of the question of", or simply "before" depending on the context.

Is "before the issue of" formal or informal?

"Before the issue of" leans towards a more formal register. Simpler prepositions like "before" or "prior to" may be preferable in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "before the issue of" instead of just "before"?

Use "before the issue of" when you want to specifically highlight that what follows is a matter of concern, discussion, or debate. Using "before" alone is suitable when indicating a simple temporal sequence.