before this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before this time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a point in time that precedes the current moment or a specified time in the past. Example: "The project was completed before this time, allowing us to move on to the next phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She'd forgiven him once before; this time, she threw him out.

The Washington Post

I'd seen them before; this time I said hello.

Los Angeles Times

Charcoal increases before this time and the swamp vegetation becomes more grass-rich.

Quaternary Science Reviews

You must complete the work and submit all the paperwork before this time.

Harvard University

Never before this time had he said anything about my stopping work five minutes early.

Cornell University

Medical care specifically for children before this time was very limited.

Cornell University

If you pulled before this time, please manually change your PC width to 32 bits.

University of California, Berkeley

"Why didn't Maliki release them to the public before this time?

The New York Times

"Before this time, yeah, another year," Pops sings, "I may be dead and gone".

The New Yorker

Ask them whether they ever discussed a reunion before this time and they flatly deny it.

The Guardian - Music

Although it is a claim heard before, this time around it can't be denied.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a deadline, use "before this time" to clearly indicate the cutoff, avoiding ambiguity. For example: "Submit your application before this time to be considered."

Common error

Avoid using "before this time" when you mean "at this time" or "currently". "Before this time" indicates a point in the past, while "at this time" refers to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before this time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the temporal context of an action or event. It indicates that something occurred prior to a given moment. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before this time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies a point in time preceding a defined reference. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, including science, news, academia, and general writing. The phrase serves to establish temporal boundaries, providing clarity to the sequence of events described. While maintaining a neutral register, "before this time" finds a comfortable spot in both formal and informal communications. Remember to specify the exact deadline if you use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier than this

Uses a comparative structure to highlight the temporal difference.

prior to now

Replaces "this time" with "now", focusing on the present moment as the reference point.

preceding this

A more formal term indicating something that comes before.

previously

A single-word adverb that concisely indicates an earlier time.

until this moment

Similar to "up until now", emphasizing the current instant.

up until now

Indicates a duration leading to the present, rather than a specific point.

in advance of this

Highlights preparation or action taken ahead of the reference time.

in the past

A general reference to any point before the present.

leading up to this point

Focuses on the period that precedes the specified time.

heretofore

A more formal and less common synonym for "before now".

FAQs

How can I use "before this time" in a sentence?

Use "before this time" to refer to a point or period in the past relative to a specific event. For example, "All applications must be submitted "before this time"."

What's a more formal alternative to "before this time"?

A more formal alternative to "before this time" is "prior to this time". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is "before this time" the same as "after this time"?

No, "before this time" indicates a point preceding a specific moment, while "after this time" indicates a point following that moment. They are opposites in terms of temporal reference.

Can I use "before this time" to refer to the future?

No, "before this time" always refers to something that has already occurred relative to a specified point. Use "by this time" to refer to a future deadline or event.