before we addressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we addressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time prior to discussing or dealing with a particular issue or topic. Example: "Before we addressed the main concerns, we took a moment to review the background information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

March 14 , 2014Jonathan Edwards (@JonathanPlaid) Sad news about Tony Benn.met him once before we addressed thousands of students in Methodist Central Hall.real gent.

The Guardian

Before we addressed potential differences in these two groups, however, we sought to ensure there were no hidden biases in the sample population.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before we address those arguments, let's return to the point we made at the outset.

The Washington Post

Before we address Gohmert's actual point, we have seven questions.

The Washington Post

"Before we address borders, we have to address security," Michael B. Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States, said in an interview.

The New York Times

Before we address that question here, however, we think it necessary first to define the scope of our inquiry.

Cornell University

Before we address Matilda's school days, though, let's consider her less-than-rosy home life.

The New York Times

But before we address the question of understanding "digital literacy", I suggest we begin, inductively, by asking: what version of digital literacy exists right now?

University of California, Berkeley

Before we address other issues, we must make clear that whether a person wears blue jeans or a blue uniform, he or she must be equal under the eyes of the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before we address Baauer and whether or not his track has anything to do with Harlem, or with dancing, let's pause to note that adding YouTube plays is a good idea for Billboard.

The New Yorker

Personally, I don't know what the answer is, although waiting for some unfortunate incident to occur before we address these issues certainly doesn't seem to be it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we addressed" to clearly indicate a sequential order of actions, especially when emphasizing the preparatory nature of the first action. It signals that the subsequent action or topic is contingent on the completion or consideration of the initial one.

Common error

Avoid using "before we addressed" when the sequence is unclear or when the initial action is not directly related to the subsequent one. Ensure that the context clearly establishes a logical connection between the two events to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we addressed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that an action or event occurred prior to the act of addressing a particular topic or issue. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase sets the stage for subsequent discussions or actions, establishing a clear chronological sequence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we addressed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, signaling that an action took place prior to discussing or dealing with a particular issue. While grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates that its frequency is relatively rare. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia, emphasizing a sequential order of events. When using this phrase, ensure that the relationship between the two events is clear to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to our addressing

More formal and emphasizes the act of addressing.

before we considered

Replaces "addressed" with a more general term for thinking about something.

before dealing with

Focuses on the action of handling or managing something.

before we tackled

Implies a more direct and active approach to dealing with something.

in advance of addressing

Highlights the preparatory aspect of addressing something.

ahead of our discussion of

More formal and emphasizes a planned discussion.

previous to addressing

Highly formal and somewhat archaic.

before we spoke to

Replaces 'addressed' with a direct act of speaking about something.

prior to when we addressed

Adds a temporal element, emphasizing the time before the addressing.

until we addressed

Indicates that the other action didn't begin till that happened.

FAQs

How can I use "before we addressed" in a sentence?

You can use "before we addressed" to indicate that something occurred prior to discussing or dealing with a specific issue. For example, "Before we addressed the budget, we reviewed the quarterly reports."

What are some alternatives to "before we addressed"?

Some alternatives include "prior to our addressing", "before we considered", or "before we tackled" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "before we addressed" or "before we considered"?

"Before we addressed" and "before we considered" have a similar level of formality. However, "prior to our addressing" would be considered more formal.

What's the difference between "before we addressed" and "after we addressed"?

"Before we addressed" indicates an action that happened before addressing something, while "after we addressed" indicates an action that happened after addressing something. They represent opposite temporal sequences.