before they are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before they are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that must be met prior to the occurrence of an event or state. Example: "We need to finalize the details before they are sent to the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever Haitians were before, they are now juggling new jobs.

The New York Times

If no one was listening before, they are now.

The New York Times - Sports

Before, they are transparent.

The New Yorker

– before they are even asked.

The Guardian - Tech

newsletters before they are sent.

The New York Times

Livestock need to be read before they are worked.

Cornell University

It might be another few months before they are sure….

The New Yorker

Restaurants are businesses before they are anything else.

The New Yorker

"We will preserve things before they are even finished".

The New Yorker

("Things change before they are over," Legrand sings).

The New Yorker

Closer than ever before, they are also infinitely farther apart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before they are" to establish a clear sequence of events or a necessary condition. This helps create a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "before they are" with a future tense in the main clause if the context suggests a present or past action. For instance, instead of "We will check before they are sent", use "We check before they are sent" or "We checked before they were sent" to maintain correct tense agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before they are" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies a time or condition preceding the action or state described in the main clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a temporal relationship or a prerequisite condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before they are" serves as a versatile conjunction that introduces a temporal or conditional clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, allowing for wide application across various contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, it's important to ensure clear pronoun reference and proper tense agreement to avoid ambiguity. As shown by examples from Ludwig, from news articles to scientific papers, "before they are" is a standard and useful construction in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before they become

This alternative emphasizes a transformation or change of state.

before they will be

Adds a sense of futurity or prediction about their state.

prior to their being

This alternative replaces the pronoun and verb with a more formal phrasing, using a prepositional phrase.

prior to them being

Replaces 'they are' with 'them being' which is slightly more formal.

before they've reached

Focuses on reaching a specific state or condition.

ahead of them being

Emphasizes the positional aspect of time, suggesting something comes before in a sequence.

previous to their existence

Emphasizes the state of existence and the time preceding it.

earlier than they exist

This phrase highlights the non-existence prior to a certain point.

in advance of their presence

Highlights the absence or lack of presence before a certain point.

in anticipation of their being

This alternative adds a sense of expectation or preparation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "before they are" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "prior to their being", "previous to their existence", or "in advance of them being". These alternatives offer a more sophisticated tone.

Is there a difference between "before they are" and "before they become"?

While similar, "before they become" emphasizes a transformation or change of state, whereas "before they are" simply indicates a time preceding their current state. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended nuance.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "before they are"?

Ensure clear pronoun reference to avoid ambiguity. Also, be mindful of tense agreement between the "before they are" clause and the main clause. Example: "They prepare the data /s/before+it+is analyzed.

How does the context affect the choice of using "before they are"?

The context dictates the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "prior to them being". In informal settings, "before they are" is perfectly acceptable. Examples: "Please review /s/before+they+are finalized" or "Always double-check data /s/prior+to+its+submission.