before turning it over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before turning it over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a sequence of actions, particularly when something is to be handed or flipped over after a prior action. Example: "Make sure to check the document thoroughly before turning it over to the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The legacy of this pollution was evident several years after fracking finished in 2007, with the EPA starting its investigation in 2010 before turning it over to Wyoming.

The Guardian

The motion accuses it of not looking at its client's laptop before turning it over to University Sports and refusing to produce a jump drive on which the stolen data was ultimately retrieved after it had been asked to do so.

The New York Times

He ran the foundation for several years before turning it over to his son David.

The New York Times

"The whole fucking thing is, we're all Chicks on Speed!" he roared into the mike, before turning it over to the band.

The New Yorker

Mr. Federman ran Russ & Daughters for more than three decades before turning it over in 2009 to the fourth generation: his daughter, Niki, and a nephew, Josh.

The New York Times - Books

Manufacturers Hanover agreed to give the building $150,000 in renovations before turning it over to People's Federal for three years, rent free.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

If doing all 6 sides, this will be very time-consuming and fiddly, and you'll need to allow some sides to dry before turning it right over.

WikiHow

The city has hired an appraiser to determine the value of the property before condemning it and turning it over to the developer, Ocean Front Acquisitions.

The New York Times

"The C.C.R.B. does not leak information before it turns it over to the commissioner".

The New York Times

So before I turn it over to Sam from Maplewood, I want to talk about a couple of neighborhoods that we don't have represented on this panel.

Cornell University

Riku had assumed that Kenko USA would be a true success before he turned it over to someone else and returned to headquarters.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. If a more formal tone is desired, alternatives like "prior to handing it over" may be more suitable.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume the reader knows what "it" refers to. Always ensure the object is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid confusion. For example, instead of "Review the report before turning it over", specify: "Review the report before turning the document over to the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before turning it over" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the timing of an action in relation to another. It specifies that an action (turning it over) is preceded by another action or condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before turning it over" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a sequence of actions where one action precedes the act of handing something over or inverting it. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and wide applicability. The phrase finds frequent use in news and media, wiki articles, and academic writing, serving to establish temporal order. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "prior to handing it over" may be preferable, while ensuring clarity in defining what "it" refers to is crucial to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to handing it over

Replaces "before turning" with a more formal alternative, while maintaining the same sequence of events.

ahead of transferring it

Uses "ahead of" to indicate the temporal relationship, focusing on the transfer aspect.

before passing it on

Replaces "turning it over" with a simpler phrase, suitable for informal contexts.

in advance of relinquishing it

Emphasizes the act of relinquishing control, using more formal vocabulary.

before delegating it

Emphasizes the act of delegating responsibility or a task.

previous to surrendering it

Highlights the act of surrendering, suitable in contexts of yielding or giving up something.

prior to its submission

Highlights the act of submitting something after a preparation phase.

before its handover

Nominalizes the action, useful when referring to the handover as an event.

before its conveyance

Emphasizes the formal transfer or conveyance of something, suitable in legal or official contexts.

before inverting it

Focuses specifically on the action of inverting or flipping something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "before turning it over" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "prior to handing it over", "in advance of relinquishing it", or "previous to surrendering it". Each of these options provides a more elevated level of formality while maintaining the original meaning.

Is "before turning it over" suitable for academic writing?

While "before turning it over" is grammatically correct, it may sound too informal for some academic contexts. Alternatives like "prior to handing it over" or "ahead of transferring it" might be more appropriate.

What is a simple alternative to "before turning it over" for casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can use simpler alternatives such as "before passing it on" or just "before giving it".

When should I use "before turning it over" versus "after receiving it"?

"Before turning it over" implies an action you take before you pass something to someone else. "After receiving it" implies an action you take after you have been given something. The correct choice depends on the sequence of events you want to describe.