before the main course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the main course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time or event that occurs prior to the serving of the main dish in a meal, often in the context of dining or meal planning. Example: "We will serve a light salad before the main course to whet your appetite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Food & Drink

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It was deemed the winner before the main course arrived.

The New Yorker

You don't want to fill up on bread before the main course anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

But, before the main course, an entree - it's Australia v Russia in the women's basketball.

The Guardian - Sport

And that's before the main course -- racks and racks of spareribs and french fries.

The New York Times - Magazine

SERVICE -- Professional and confiding, with a long lag before the main course.

The New York Times

But like the rest of you, I felt part one was the amuse-bouche before the main course – the regeneration.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Before the main courses arrived, Pintabona asked a waiter to bring out a plate of raw shrimp with their heads still on.

The New Yorker

Rice in its many different forms is, with kebabs, the other showcase food at Persian restaurants: Before the main courses had arrived at Flame, we got a plateful of tah dig— seriously crusty slabs of fried rice.

The New York Times - Travel

But I craned my neck in vain looking for someone to suggest a bottle of wine before the main courses landed, or to take a dessert order, or to bring the check.

The New York Times - Food

So when should we actually eat our salads: before, during or after the main course?

Huffington Post

Children had 10 min to consume the soup before being served the main course.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events in a narrative, use "before the main course" to clearly indicate the timing of an action relative to the meal. This adds a touch of sophistication and provides a clear culinary context.

Common error

Avoid using "before the main course" when you're not actually discussing a meal. Overusing the phrase in non-food contexts can sound affected or out of place. Consider alternatives like "prior to the main event" or "before the key activity" in other situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the main course" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs in relation to a meal's main dish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly usable expression. For example, "conversations should be flowing long before the main course."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

30%

Food & Drink

20%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before the main course" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a time or event preceding the main dish of a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. It is most frequently encountered in news, lifestyle, and food-related content. To add variety to your writing, consider alternatives like "prior to the entree" or "ahead of the main meal". However, avoid using it in contexts unrelated to food to prevent sounding unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the entree

Replaces "main course" with a synonym, emphasizing a formal dining setting.

preceding the primary dish

Uses more formal language to indicate the item served before the main meal.

ahead of the main meal

Indicates a temporal relationship, positioning something before the main meal.

leading up to the main dish

Emphasizes the progression towards the main meal.

before the central offering

Substitutes "main course" with a more descriptive and elegant term.

prior to the significant dish

Similar to "prior to the entree" but uses "significant" to describe the dish.

in advance of the main plate

Focuses on the positioning relative to the main plate.

antérieur au plat principal

French translation, providing a foreign language alternative.

as an appetiser to the main course

Indicates the food being referred to will stimulate the appetite before the main course.

before the piece de resistance

French phrase meaning the most important or remarkable feature.

FAQs

How can I use "before the main course" in a sentence?

You can use "before the main course" to describe an action or event that happens before the primary dish of a meal is served. For example, "We enjoyed appetizers "before the main course" arrived".

What is another way to say "before the main course"?

Alternatives include "prior to the entree", "ahead of the main meal", or "preceding the primary dish". The best choice depends on the formality and context of your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "before the main course"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating time or sequence in relation to a meal.

What's the difference between "before the main course" and "after the main course"?

"Before the main course" refers to events happening before the primary dish is served, while "after the main course" refers to events happening after it. They represent opposite points in the meal's timeline.