before they received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before they received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame prior to the act of receiving something, often in narratives or explanations. Example: "The team had already prepared the presentation before they received the feedback from the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eight were caught before they received any money.

The New York Times

Years of persecution continued, however, before they received full civil rights in 1848.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Calcutta's first foreigners often died young, sometimes before they received mail from across the ocean.

The New York Times - Travel

The other five people arrested were caught before they received any funds, Mr. Morgenthau said.

The New York Times

They got turned down for a baby, Watson said, a day before they received the call about Caleb.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1999, Sharon Stone presented each HFPA member with a gold watch days before they received voting forms.

Independent

Moreover, if mice ate alanine before they received a dose of glucose, their resulting blood glucose levels were significantly lower.

Harvard University

Jing, Heather and Adam were recommended by their schools and interviewed before they received their test results.

The New York Times

Commanders here said that even if an attack was ordered before they received supplies, they would not be discouraged.

The New York Times

But Montagnier's group had described LAV in print a year before they received samples of HTLV-3B from Gallo.

The New York Times - Books

The effect of huge bank debt on state finances almost forced Ireland and Cyprus to leave the euro zone before they received bailouts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "prior to their receipt" for a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying the timeframe "before" the receipt. For example, instead of "They acted before they received instructions", clarify with "They acted before they received detailed instructions on the new protocol".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before they received" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time relationship. It establishes a temporal boundary, specifying an action or state that occurred prior to the act of receiving something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before they received" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a time relationship, specifying an action or state prior to the act of receiving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely applicable across various contexts, but is particularly common in news and scientific reporting. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what was received and the significance of the timing to avoid ambiguity. Consider more formal alternatives like "prior to their receipt" for academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to them receiving

Replaces "before" with "prior to" and uses a more formal gerund phrase.

ahead of their receipt of

Emphasizes the time before the formal act of receiving, using a noun-based construction.

preceding their acquisition of

Uses "preceding" for a more formal and chronological emphasis, focusing on acquisition.

earlier than their obtaining

Emphasizes the time before obtaining something, using a gerund phrase.

in advance of them getting

Uses "in advance of" for a slightly less formal tone than "prior to", and replaces "received" with "getting".

antedating the time they were given

Employs "antedating" to specifically highlight the time before they were given something.

previous to their acceptance of

Highlights the act of acceptance rather than mere receipt, changing the verb.

before it was handed to them

Changes the structure to focus on the action of handing something over.

until they got

Simplifies the phrase using "until" and "got", making it less formal.

prior to the moment they secured

Focuses on the moment of securing something, rather than just receiving it.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "prior to their receipt", "in anticipation of receiving", or "preceding the reception of". Each alternative offers a heightened level of formality appropriate for academic or professional contexts.

What are some common synonyms for "received" in the phrase "before they received"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "received" with synonyms like "obtained", "acquired", "got", or "were given". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prior to them receiving" instead of "before they received"?

Yes, "prior to them receiving" is grammatically correct. "Prior to" is a more formal alternative to "before", and using the gerund "receiving" after "them" is standard English. However, "before they received" is equally valid and often preferred for its simplicity.

How does the choice of verb after "before they" affect the meaning of the sentence?

The verb choice significantly impacts the sentence's meaning. For instance, "before they understood" focuses on comprehension, while "before they implemented" emphasizes action. Consider the specific aspect you want to highlight to choose the most appropriate verb, keeping "before they received" focuses on reception.