before the meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the meal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period or actions that occur prior to eating. Example: "Make sure to wash your hands before the meal to maintain good hygiene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sherry before the meal, port after.

The New Yorker

Before the meal, Palin delivered a lengthy grace.

The New Yorker

Jan Steen's "The Prayer Before the Meal" brought £5.64 million.

The New York Times - Arts

"They don't drink vodka or whiskey before the meal.

The New York Times

She always excuses herself before the meal is over.

The New York Times

People drank highballs before the meal and water with it.

The Guardian - Books

"It's the classic dessert before the meal analysis".

The New York Times

But wait to slice them all until just before the meal.

The New York Times - Food

Any houseguests arriving hungry at the door before the meal can snack on it.

The New York Times - Food

After 10 days, there was no statistically significant difference from their preference before the meal.

The New York Times - Science

Another ritual has Mr. Clayman blessing his wife and Alexandra just before the meal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions for medication, specify the exact timeframe "before the meal" (e.g., 30 minutes) to ensure proper absorption and effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "before the meal" without clarifying which meal you're referring to (breakfast, lunch, dinner) when the context isn't already clear. This prevents ambiguity and ensures accurate understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the meal" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate the timing of an action in relation to eating. Ludwig AI validates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

43%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before the meal" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a time preceding eating. According to Ludwig AI, its meaning is clear and it is usable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse communication needs. When using "before the meal", ensure clarity by specifying which meal is being referenced, especially in ambiguous situations. Alternatives include "prior to eating" for more formal contexts. The phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing temporal relationships to meal times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before dining

Simply replaces the noun "meal" with the action of "dining".

prior to eating

Uses a more formal synonym for 'before', emphasizing a time sequence leading up to eating.

pre-dinner

A concise adjective indicating something occurring before dinner, suitable for describing events or activities.

ahead of supper

Replaces 'meal' with 'supper', specifying a particular meal and implying anticipation.

leading up to the meal

Focuses on the period before the meal, highlighting the progression of events.

in advance of the feed

The noun "meal" has been replaced with the more colloquial "feed" and combined with the prepositional phrase "in advance of".

in anticipation of the meal

Emphasizes the expectation and excitement associated with the upcoming meal.

preceding the repast

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic term ('repast') for 'meal', adding a touch of elegance.

up until supper

The preposition has been changed to "up until" and "meal" has been swapped for "supper".

antepartum

Although antepartum generally refers to before childbirth, it shows the use of Latinate prefixes to denote actions happening before an event.

FAQs

How can I use "before the meal" in a sentence?

You can use "before the meal" to describe actions, routines, or preparations that occur prior to eating, like "Remember to wash your hands "before the meal"" or "The chef always tastes the sauce "before the meal" is served".

What's a formal alternative to "before the meal"?

A more formal alternative to "before the meal" is "prior to eating". This phrase is suitable for academic papers, professional communications, or any situation where a more elevated tone is desired.

Is it okay to say "pre-meal" instead of "before the meal"?

Yes, "pre-meal" is an acceptable, concise way to say "before the meal", especially as an adjective (e.g., "pre-meal snack"). However, "before the meal" might be preferred for clarity in some contexts.

What's the difference between "before the meal" and "after the meal"?

"Before the meal" refers to the period leading up to eating, while "after the meal" indicates the period following the consumption of food. These phrases are antonyms, describing opposite temporal relationships to the act of eating.