before we continue

USAGE SUMMARY

"before we continue" is a perfectly correct and acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when your text is discussing a specific topic and you wish to introduce another idea or move onto another topic. For example: "Before we continue our discussion about the importance of a balanced diet, let's talk about the importance of exercise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Let's make that clear before we continue.

The Guardian

Before we continue, I should mention that this celebration goes on for several excruciating seconds.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

2.41am BST Frog update We're waiting for Dan to get the photos uploaded before we continue.

The Guardian - Travel

I'm with you on most of this, but before we continue I need to know whom you voted for in the last election".

The New Yorker

Before we continue, might we give a shout-out to the United States Senate for delivering the best present ever to graduates?

The New Yorker

Before we continue, a bit of background about "the business judgment rule," also known among some lawyers as the "stupidity rule".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

So we made the decision to pull up into Norfolk and wait out the storm before we continued.

Science Magazine

Always on time, she waited for me in the lobby before we continued our conversations exactly where we had last left off.

Huffington Post

"I really identified with him," she said, "He's the age of my children, and I held his hands a few times to calm him down before we continued".

Huffington Post

"As we have said before, we will continue to evaluate how we can protect our users' privacy and their data," Ms. Mayer said.

The New York Times

It has been done before, we will continue to do it — no matter the political context".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your transitional phrases. While "before we continue" is perfectly acceptable, using alternatives like "before we proceed" or "prior to moving forward" can add stylistic flair and prevent repetitiveness.

Common error

While "before we continue" is effective, repeatedly using it can make your writing sound formulaic. Employ other transitional phrases and techniques to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we continue" functions as a transitional phrase. It serves as a discourse marker to signal a shift in the direction of the discussion, introduce a necessary clarification, or provide background information. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in various contexts to guide the reader.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we continue" is a versatile transitional phrase used to signal a shift in topic, provide context, or offer a clarification. Ludwig's analysis, confirmed by the AI, indicates it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While perfectly acceptable, remember to vary your transitional phrases to avoid monotony. The phrase functions to manage information flow and prepare the audience, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. By using it judiciously, you can enhance the clarity and logical flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we proceed further

Emphasizes the action of moving forward, similar to continuing, but with a stronger sense of progression.

before we go on

A more informal way to indicate that the current discussion is about to shift to another point.

let's first consider

Highlights the act of thinking about something before advancing, focusing on contemplation.

prior to moving forward

A more formal and structured way of indicating a transition, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

before we delve deeper

Suggests a more profound exploration is about to occur, implying the initial discussion was superficial.

let's pause here

Indicates a brief interruption to address something before continuing the main topic.

first, a word about

Emphasizes the brief and introductory nature of the upcoming remark.

a brief digression

Acknowledges that what follows is a temporary departure from the main subject.

but first, a note on

Similar to "first, a word about", but with a slightly more casual tone.

with that said

A conversational way to transition after acknowledging a previous point.

FAQs

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

The phrase "before we continue" is used to signal a shift in topic, introduce necessary context, or add a clarifying remark before moving forward. For example, "Before we continue, it's important to understand the basic principles of quantum physics."

What are some alternatives to "before we continue"?

You can use alternatives like "before we proceed", "before we go on", or "let's first consider" depending on the formality and context of your writing.

Is "before we continue" formal or informal?

"Before we continue" falls in a neutral to slightly formal register. It is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to business reports. However, in very informal settings, phrases like "before we go on" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "before we continue"?

Use "before we continue" when you need to add a necessary detail, clarify a point, or shift the topic slightly without losing the reader. It helps maintain a logical flow and provides necessary context for understanding the subsequent information.