before they left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before they left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that occurred prior to someone's departure. Example: "She made sure to finish her work before they left for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Probably right before they left.

The New York Times

They had more themselves before they left.

The New Yorker

But before they left, they identified themselves.

Independent

He'd been killed just before they left.

The Washington Post

She hugged both parents before they left.

The Guardian

Just before they left, Ann told Bascombe something about Paul.

The New Yorker

But before they left the skylobby, the second plane hit.

The New York Times

However, the works were seized before they left the country.

The Guardian - Arts

Before they left, he added menacingly: "We'll be back.

The New York Times

Mr. Adams asked her out before they left the porch.

The New York Times

Celestine showed up to hug them before they left.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before they left" to clearly establish a sequence of events, ensuring the reader understands the temporal relationship between actions.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the context makes it clear who "they" refers to, and that the departure point is evident. For example, instead of "I told them "before they left"", specify: "I told them "before they left" the office".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before they left" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing an adverbial clause of time. This clause modifies the main verb in the sentence, indicating when an action occurred in relation to the departure of a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before they left" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action occurred preceding a departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and appears in numerous contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and the specific location of departure to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "prior to their departure" or "ahead of their leaving" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to their departure

Replaces "before they left" with more formal vocabulary focusing on the act of departing.

ahead of their leaving

Emphasizes the time leading up to the moment of departure.

leading up to their exit

Highlights the period preceding their exit from a place or situation.

in anticipation of their departure

Focuses on actions taken while expecting the departure.

before their moving

Highlights the action of relocating rather than simply leaving.

previous to their abandonment

Implies desertion or relinquishment alongside the departure.

in advance of their going

Similar to "before", but with a slightly more proactive connotation.

preceding their exodus

Suggests a mass departure or emigration.

antedating their vacation

More context-specific, referring to the time before a vacation.

in preparation for their relocation

Focuses on the planning and preparation before changing location.

FAQs

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

Use "before they left" to indicate an action or event that occurred prior to someone's departure. For example, "She finished her presentation "before they left" for the conference".

What are some alternatives to using "before they left"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to their departure", "ahead of their leaving", or "leading up to their exit" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "before they left"?

Yes, "before they left" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both written and spoken English to indicate a time frame preceding a departure.

What's the difference between ""before they left"" and "after they arrived"?

"Before they left" indicates something happened preceding a departure, while "after they arrived" indicates something happened following an arrival. They describe opposite temporal relationships.