before walking off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before walking off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs prior to someone leaving a place or situation, often implying a sense of abruptness or finality. Example: "She paused to say goodbye before walking off into the sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He kissed her before walking off stage without taking questions.

The New York Times

Hotel guests may want to think twice now before walking off with that bathrobe.

The New York Times

Like Sturgeon, she pointedly failed to shake his hand before walking off stage.

The Guardian - Opinion

He then approached the gallery and spoke to the distracting spectator before walking off the green.

The New York Times - Sports

The two exchanged a few words in Swedish before walking off the court together.

The New York Times - Sports

The woman held the child's hand for a second before walking off, with the child following, they said.

The New York Times

Then they hugged, noses nudging, polished toes touching, before walking off with their arms wrapped around each other.

The Guardian

After counting in a blues tune he played just one note of it before walking off – to a standing ovation.

The Guardian - Music

Miller, who embraced Iverson and Sixers Coach Larry Brown before walking off the court, had 32 points for Indiana.

The New York Times - Sports

Before walking off, the woman's date said, "Homeless guys will be peeing on that in no time".

The New Yorker

It was important to spread the message," he said, before walking off to take a nap in one of the adjoining rooms of the center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before walking off" to clearly sequence an action that occurs immediately before someone leaves a scene, emphasizing the timing of the action relative to the departure. For example, "He made a brief statement before walking off stage" is preferable to "He walked off stage after making a brief statement" when timing is key.

Common error

Avoid using "before walking off" when the departure is not abrupt or intended to convey a sense of finality. Alternatives like "before leaving" or "prior to departing" may be more suitable in formal or less dramatic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before walking off" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing of an action relative to someone's departure. As Ludwig AI suggests, it specifies that something happened immediately before the act of leaving. Examples show this in various contexts, mostly regarding stage exits, abrupt departures, or endings of interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Sports

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before walking off" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an action that happens immediately preceding someone's departure, often with an implication of abruptness or finality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and sports contexts, it serves to sequence events and emphasize the timing of actions relative to the departure. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the context and avoid using it when a simple departure is described, as more formal alternatives like "prior to departing" may be more appropriate. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the timing of an action that occurred just before someone left the scene.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just before leaving

Emphasizes the immediacy of the action relative to the departure.

right before exiting

Similar to "just before leaving" but specifies the act of exiting.

before stepping away

Replaces "walking off" with "stepping away", implying a less abrupt departure.

prior to departing

Formal alternative replacing "walking off" with a more general term for leaving.

before making an exit

Focuses on the act of "making an exit" rather than simply "walking off".

immediately preceding departure

A more formal and emphatic way of stating the sequence of events.

on the verge of leaving

Emphasizes that the action happens very close to the moment of departure.

preceding the departure

More formal and emphasizes the action that comes before the departure.

ahead of departure

Similar to "in advance of leaving" but more concise.

in advance of leaving

Highlights that the action occurs in preparation or anticipation of leaving.

FAQs

How can I use "before walking off" in a sentence?

You can use "before walking off" to describe an action that someone performs right before they leave a place or situation. For example, "She delivered her speech "before walking off" the stage".

What's a good alternative to "before walking off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "prior to departing", "just before leaving", or "before making an exit".

Is "before walking off" formal or informal?

"Before walking off" leans towards a neutral register but can also imply a sense of abruptness or informality. In highly formal contexts, "prior to departing" might be more appropriate.

When should I avoid using "before walking off"?

Avoid using "before walking off" when the act of leaving is not abrupt or significant. In scenarios where a simple departure is described, phrases like "before leaving" or "prior to leaving" might be more fitting.