before we are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or situation that should occur prior to a certain state or action involving the speaker and others. Example: "We need to finalize the details before we are ready to launch the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As I said before, we are taking this game seriously.

The New York Times

In light of what has gone before, we are terrified for all of them.

The Guardian

As I said before, we are an arm's length body, a charity, and less than 20% publicly funded.

The Guardian

As we've noted before, we are now in a new section of the Windows 10 story.

TechCrunch

As many have said before, we are the social web and the social web is us.

TechCrunch

As stated before, we are mainly interested in the bifurcations at which stable solutions become unstable.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

on acquisition,$37M StudioNow, I have said this before, we are out of the Hail Mary business.

TechCrunch

Like I said before, we are not going anywhere.

Huffington Post

Today, like never before, we are willing to take responsibility for our destiny.

Huffington Post

As before, we are especially interested in differences between eIF4E upregulated and eIF4E nonregulated mRNAs.

Plosone

We've been children before we are adults.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before we are", ensure the clause that follows clearly defines the state or action being preceded. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses in either the 'before' clause or the main clause. Ensure both tenses align logically to maintain a clear temporal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we are" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the condition or state preceding the action or state described in the main clause. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its role in establishing a chronological sequence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we are" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a temporal conjunction, setting a condition or state that must precede another action or state. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "prior to our being" exist, "before we are" maintains a neutral register suitable for general communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by clearly defining the subsequent state or action and maintaining consistent verb tenses. Given the analysis and the information provided by Ludwig, the phrase is well-established and versatile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we become

This alternative subtly shifts the focus to the process of becoming, suggesting a transformation or change of state.

prior to our being

This alternative uses a more formal construction, replacing "before" with "prior to" and rephrasing "we are" as "our being".

before we exist

This alternative implies a more fundamental state of existence, going beyond simply "being" in a certain condition.

in advance of us being

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way of stating "before we are", highlighting the temporal aspect.

ahead of our being

This alternative uses "ahead of" to indicate precedence, similar to "prior to" but slightly less formal.

preceding our state

This alternative focuses on the state of being and uses the word "preceding" which express a similar idea with "before".

sooner than we are

This alternative phrase adds an element of comparison, suggesting something happens earlier than the state of "we are".

until we are

This alternative shifts the meaning to express duration, indicating something continues up to the point "we are" in a certain state.

before that time

This alternative replaces "we are" with a general reference to a point in time.

previously we are

This alternative is grammatically incorrect and is used to point out that the word order is wrong, since it should be "before".

FAQs

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

Use "before we are" to indicate something that must happen or be true before a certain state or action involving you and others can occur. For example, "We need to finalize the details "before we are" ready to launch the project".

What's a more formal way to say "before we are"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to our being". For instance, instead of saying ""before we are" able to proceed", you could say "prior to our being able to proceed".

Is there a difference between "before we are" and "before we become"?

Yes, "before we become" implies a change or transformation is necessary, whereas ""before we are"" simply indicates a current state or condition that needs to be addressed.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "before we are"?

Ensure that the verb tenses in both clauses (the 'before' clause and the main clause) are logically consistent. Avoid mismatched tenses that create confusion about the timing of events.