before they arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before they arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an action or event that should take place prior to the arrival of a specific group of people or things. Example: "Please make sure everything is ready before they arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The cheats are out before they arrive".

The New York Times - Sports

Staff compile dossiers on customers before they arrive.

The Economist

What should international students know before they arrive?

The New York Times

Economic migrants are likely to arrange jobs before they arrive.

The Economist

Before they arrive, he spritzes himself with cologne.

The New York Times

"Anything technical will be sorted out before they arrive.

The Guardian - Music

Collectors do not know whom they are testing until just before they arrive at the ballpark.

The New York Times - Sports

History and science texts are often out of date before they arrive in the school building.

The New York Times

Gonz z isn't even allowed to see the files of incoming students before they arrive.

The New York Times

The rot sets in long before they arrive for training in a Baby Bentley.

Independent

And would-be migrants must undergo background checks and a medical exam before they arrive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before they arrive" to clearly sequence actions, ensuring necessary preparations or considerations are completed ahead of someone's physical presence. For instance, "Ensure all documents are signed before they arrive to avoid delays."

Common error

Avoid using "before they arrive" when you actually mean 'as soon as they arrive'. The phrase indicates actions completed prior to arrival, not during or after.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before they arrive" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a dependent clause indicating temporal precedence. As Ludwig shows, it modifies a verb in the main clause, specifying the timing of an action relative to someone's arrival.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before they arrive" is a versatile and common temporal marker used to indicate the sequence of events, particularly emphasizing actions that need to be completed prior to someone's arrival. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in a wide range of sources from news media to academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the timing of the action is clearly sequenced relative to the arrival, and be mindful of the context to avoid temporal confusion. Alternatives such as "prior to their arrival" or "in advance of their coming" can be used for a more formal tone if desired. Overall, "before they arrive" is a reliable and effective way to communicate temporal relationships in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to their arrival

Replaces the clause with a prepositional phrase using a more formal noun.

in advance of their arrival

Similar to 'prior to', but with a slightly different emphasis on timing.

preceding their coming

Uses a gerund phrase for a more concise expression.

in expectation of their arrival

Highlights the act of expecting them.

in anticipation of their coming

Uses a more elaborate construction to express expectancy.

leading up to their arrival

Focuses on the time period immediately before arrival.

ahead of their reaching here

Focuses on the physical action of reaching a destination.

by the time they get here

Uses a more colloquial phrasing.

until their reaching the destination

Emphasizes the endpoint of the travel.

while they are still en route

Highlights that they're currently traveling.

FAQs

What does "before they arrive" mean?

The phrase "before they arrive" indicates a time period or actions that occur prior to a group of people reaching a certain location or destination. It sets a temporal boundary, suggesting that something must be done or considered in advance of their physical presence.

How can I use "before they arrive" in a sentence?

You can use "before they arrive" to specify when preparations, actions, or considerations should take place. For example: "Please review the agenda "prior to their arrival"", or "We need to set up the conference room "ahead of their arrival"".

What are some alternatives to saying "before they arrive"?

Alternatives include "prior to their arrival", "in advance of their coming", or "ahead of their reaching here", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "prior to them arriving" instead of "before they arrive"?

While "before they arrive" is generally more common and straightforward, "prior to them arriving" is grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired tone; "before they arrive" is often perceived as slightly less formal.