before thought possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before thought possible" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing of "before it was thought possible" or "before anyone thought it possible." Example: "The technology advanced at a pace that was unprecedented, achieving results before anyone thought it possible."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A structure that enables whole new social dialogues and ideas to exist and function, in ways never before thought possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

A prince who possesses the virtue of mastery can command fortune and manage people to a degree never before thought possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Additionally, clever publishers have found ways to facilitate in-game purchases and that is driving revenues in ways never before thought possible.

Forbes

In our modern world, with technology connecting us in ways never before thought possible, there are a wide variety of ways to communicate with another person.

Huffington Post

He will be with students every step of the way to help them reach their individual goals (and maybe even reach some new goals they've never before thought possible).

Bplans

He will be with students every step of the way to help them reach their individual goals (and maybe even reach some new goals they've never before thought possible).

Bplans

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Stone Age people somehow managed to live in the forbidding environs of Siberia as early as 300,000 years ago -- hundreds of thousands of years before experts had thought possible -- according to a new analysis of geological evidence.

The Washington Post

Before Spotify was thought possible, CDs and the playlists we burned to them were full of weight.

TechCrunch

The 28 essays from a cast of experts and leaders we have assembled from many different walks of life, may help you see networks you hadn't thought about before or make connections you never thought possible.

Forbes

"But to find the right six people". The 28 essays from a cast of experts and leaders we have assembled from many different walks of life, may help you see networks you hadn't thought about before or make connections you never thought possible.

Forbes

For those four years, the inflation-adjusted price has fallen 28 percent, something few homeowners thought possible before it happened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing that something occurred against expectations, ensure your phrasing is grammatically sound. Opt for alternatives like "before it was thought possible" or "contrary to what was expected" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid placing "before" directly adjacent to "thought possible". This creates an ungrammatical construction. Instead, clarify the sentence by adding "it was" or "anyone" to ensure proper syntax.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before thought possible" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating a temporal relationship contrary to expectation. However, this construction is grammatically flawed as pointed out by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before thought possible" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a misphrasing that lacks the necessary auxiliary verbs for proper syntax. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "before it was thought possible", "earlier than expected", or "contrary to previous expectations" to convey your intended meaning clearly and accurately. While the intended meaning might be understood in informal contexts, it's best to prioritize grammatical correctness for effective communication. There are no occurrences in the provided dataset, further highlighting the need for correction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before it was considered possible

Replaces the verb "thought" with "considered" and adds the necessary article "it" for grammatical correctness.

before it was believed possible

Replaces "thought" with "believed", focusing on conviction rather than consideration, and adds the necessary article "it" for grammatical correctness.

before it was deemed feasible

Substitutes "thought" with "deemed feasible", emphasizing the practicality of something.

sooner than expected

Focuses on the timing aspect, suggesting something happened earlier than anticipated.

before anyone imagined it

Shifts the focus to individual imagination rather than general possibility, and adds the necessary article "it" for grammatical correctness.

prior to its conceptualization

Highlights the idea of something happening before it was even conceived.

earlier than imagined

Highlights the timing aspect, suggesting something happened before it was imagined.

contrary to previous expectations

Emphasizes a deviation from previous expectations or assumptions.

before anticipation

Emphasizes the absence of prior anticipation or expectation.

defying prior assumptions

Highlights the act of challenging or contradicting earlier assumptions.

FAQs

How can I correctly phrase a sentence using the idea of something happening sooner than expected?

Instead of "before thought possible", use phrases like "before it was thought possible", or "sooner than expected".

What are some alternatives to "before thought possible" that maintain grammatical correctness?

Consider using phrases such as "before it was believed possible", "earlier than imagined", or "contrary to previous expectations".

Is "before thought possible" grammatically correct?

No, "before thought possible" is not grammatically correct. A more appropriate phrasing would be "before it was thought possible" or a similar variation that includes the necessary auxiliary verbs and pronouns.

What is the difference between "before thought possible" and "before it was thought possible"?

The phrase "before thought possible" is grammatically incorrect due to missing auxiliary verbs and pronouns, while "before it was thought possible" is grammatically correct and expresses the idea of something happening sooner than expected.