before this was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before this was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time or situation that existed prior to the current context or event being discussed. Example: "Before this was a bustling marketplace, it was just an empty lot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As I said before, this was a bonus game for us because Romania are the strongest team in the group.

The Guardian - Sport

Given what had come immediately before, this was a positively low-key success to round off 2015.

The Guardian - Sport

While Ball had fumbled before, this was the first time that the opposition hopped on the loose ball.

The New York Times

Mr Dalglish said, "Hasn't he done this before?" This was the evidence to us of Mr Dowd, which was also accepted by Mr Suárez.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite all the musical fury that had come before, this was the most discordant moment of the night: proof of a culture clash within this seemingly unified crowd.

The New York Times - Arts

As I said before, this was an on the record conversation with the CEO of the company.

TechCrunch

Although he'd acted like a total ass before, this was a nice gesture I didn't anticipate".

Vice

While he had worked with 3D scanners before, this was his first time using one in an exterior environment.

Vice

While she had worked with 3D scanners before, this was his first time using one in an exterior environment.

Vice

As before, this was followed by a backward elimination.

BMC Public Health

Even before this was finished, it was sold".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before this was", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for 'this'. Ambiguity can arise if the 'this' is not well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using "before this was" without establishing what 'this' refers to. This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing. Always ensure the context makes the reference unmistakable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before this was" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause that provides temporal context. It sets the stage by describing a state or condition that existed prior to a specific event or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before this was" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a previous state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a prepositional phrase providing temporal context. While suitable for various registers, it's essential to ensure the 'this' has a clear reference point. Common errors include ambiguity, which can weaken writing clarity. Alternatives like "prior to this being" or "this used to be" offer similar meanings. Overall, "before this was" is a versatile tool for contrasting past and present situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to this being

Replaces the verb "was" with "being", offering a more formal or grammatically precise alternative.

before this existed

Focuses on the existence of something before a certain point, rather than a state or condition.

previously, this was

Uses an adverb to indicate time before, emphasizing a change in state.

in the past, this was

Highlights the historical aspect of the previous state or condition.

earlier, this was

Simple alternative that directly indicates the sequence of time.

this used to be

Emphasizes that something was a certain way in the past, but is no longer that way now.

this once was

Focuses on a past state, suggesting a sense of nostalgia or change.

in earlier times, this was

Highlights the historical aspect of the previous state, suggesting a longer time frame.

before this became

Indicates a transformation or change into something else.

prior to this transformation

Implies a more significant change or alteration.

FAQs

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

Use "before this was" to describe a past state or condition that has since changed. For example, "Before this was a bustling city, it was a quiet farming village."

What can I say instead of "before this was"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to this being", "before this existed", or "this used to be" depending on the context.

Is "before this was" formal or informal?

"Before this was" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "prior to this being" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What is the difference between "before this was" and "after this was"?

"Before this was" refers to a time or state preceding the current one, while "after this was" refers to a time or state following the current one. They are opposite in temporal direction.