before they got here

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before they got here" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period prior to the arrival of a specific group of people. Example: "We had already started the meeting before they got here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We were supposed to get chickens but they died before they got here," Sergeant Wallace said.

The New York Times

"Something kids don't often take to heart is what happened before they got here," Dr. Bankoff said.

The New York Times

"We get people who get upset that today it's 120, and the day before they got here it was 121," he said.

The New York Times - Science

They may not have known it before they got here, but something goes off, and they know this is the place for them".

The New York Times - Sports

"They had zero training before they got here, so I told them they had to learn a lot of other things first," Mr. Garza said.

The New York Times

Speaking at the refugee camp headquarters after meeting with UN staff, he said: "Many of these children have been traumatised by the horrors of what they've witnessed before they got here," he said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

See it before they get here.

The Guardian - Travel

RANDY GARUTTI: Actually, we got time before they get here, right, Dave?

Cornell University

"It's 'They're coming so you better build it before they get here.' ".

The New York Times

If I call 911, it might be 10 minutes before they get here.

The New York Times

"You need that belief because a lot of sides are beaten before they get here".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “before they got here” to emphasize a contrast between a situation before and after a group's arrival, indicating a change or a point of comparison.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, preventing confusion about the group's identity or purpose. Rephrase if ambiguity persists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before they got here" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the time frame preceding the arrival of a specified group. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase establishes a temporal relationship, contrasting the situation before and after their arrival.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “before they got here” is a grammatically sound and fairly common way to indicate a time period preceding someone's arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral-to-informal register, making it suitable for news articles and general conversation. In formal academic or scientific contexts, alternatives such as "prior to their arrival" may be more appropriate. Remember to ensure clarity in identifying who "they" refers to, and use the phrase to effectively contrast situations or establish temporal context. The most authoritative sources using the phrase are The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before they arrived

Simple past tense rephrasing.

before they showed up

More informal alternative to "arrived".

prior to their arrival

Formal alternative, replacing the colloquial "got here" with a more standard term for arrival.

ahead of their arrival

Focuses on the timing relative to their arrival, emphasizing anticipation.

before they made it here

Emphasizes the effort or journey involved in arriving.

before their coming

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative.

previous to their arrival

A formal and less common way to say before.

before their entrance

A formal alternative, often used in contexts involving entering a place.

in advance of their reaching here

More verbose, emphasizing preparation or action taken before they reached the location.

earlier than their presence

Focuses on the state of being present.

FAQs

How can I use "before they got here" in a sentence?

This phrase typically introduces a situation or event that occurred prior to someone's arrival. For example, "The room was a mess "before they got here", but we cleaned it up quickly."

What's a more formal way to say "before they got here"?

Alternatives include "prior to their arrival" or "before their arrival". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to use "before they got here" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "before they got here" may be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Opt for alternatives like "prior to their arrival" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "before they got here" and "before they arrived"?

While similar in meaning, "before they got here" is slightly more informal. "Before they arrived" /s/before+they+arrived is a more neutral alternative suitable for a wider range of contexts.