before we engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we engage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a preliminary step or consideration prior to starting an interaction or activity. Example: "Before we engage in this project, let's discuss our goals and expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Before we engage in "gene manipulation and prophecy" whether in humans, animals or plants, we need to take into consideration the more nuanced and complex view of the scientific construct we call the "gene" to avoid the dangers of naïve genetic reductionism.

The New York Times

Another thing to note before we engage with the harm principle is that we are in fact free to speak as we like.

SEP

Under those conditions, awaiting more data before we engage in efforts to prohibit youth football seems appropriate and reasonable.

Huffington Post

Therefore, before we engage in any other debate about the response to the conflict in Syria, let's all consider if that chemical weapon attack happened in your hometown.

Huffington Post

However, I believe that before we engage in any kind of actions regarding sovereignty, federal recognition and/or self-determination, the people of Hawaiʻi need to be educated on these very issues.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The reality is, we had known each other for many months before we engaged in [sexual relations], and we were a couple, I was in love with him".

Independent

Before we engaged in our analysis, we examined our state level data for consistency in number of responses relative to the full population of the state.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Our case was then considered by the clinic's ethics committee before we could engage a legal team to draw up the surrogacy agreement and take our application for a parental order to the high court.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, Alberta's healthcare system is undergoing substantial reorganization and we anticipate that it will be some time before we can engage decision makers and clinicians in our study.

BMC Health Services Research

Before this historic opinion, we engaged in careful and costly estate planning to compensate for the fact that, should something happen to my wife, I could not collect her pension like other federal spouses.

Huffington Post

After five months of marriage, eight months of being engaged, and another year of whatever the hell we were doing before we got engaged, it's the least I can do.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we engage" to clearly signal a necessary preliminary step or consideration before starting an activity or interaction. Ensure the context provides what action 'we' are preparing to engage in.

Common error

Avoid using "before we engage" in highly informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "before we start" or "before we begin" are often more appropriate in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we engage" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating the timing of an action in relation to another. It sets a temporal boundary, suggesting a preparatory stage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we engage" serves as a preliminary indicator of timing, which signals the importance of preparation and consideration. It is generally grammatically correct and more commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While usable in varied settings, Ludwig suggests that it's more aligned with neutral to professional registers. If a more casual tone is required, consider the alternatives "before we start" or "before we begin".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to engaging

This alternative uses a more formal tone by employing "prior to" instead of "before".

before we commence

Replaces "engage" with "commence", offering a slightly more formal and deliberate tone.

before we begin

This is a more straightforward and common synonym, suitable for many contexts.

before we start

A more casual alternative, replacing "engage" with the simpler "start".

in anticipation of engaging

Emphasizes the anticipation or preparation before the engagement.

before undertaking

This alternative replaces "engage" with "undertaking", suggesting a more significant commitment.

prior to interaction

Focuses specifically on interaction, replacing "engage" with a more direct term.

ahead of our engagement

Uses "ahead of" to indicate timing and "engagement" as a noun.

in preparation for engaging

Highlights the preparatory actions before the engagement.

before participating

Replaces "engage" with "participating", focusing on the act of taking part.

FAQs

What does "before we engage" mean?

The phrase "before we engage" means considering or completing preliminary steps before starting an interaction or activity. It emphasizes preparation and forethought.

What can I say instead of "before we engage"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to engaging", "before we start", or "before we begin" depending on the context.

Is "before we engage" formal or informal?

"Before we engage" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional and academic contexts but might sound a bit stiff in very casual settings.

How to use "before we engage" in a sentence?

You can use "before we engage" to introduce a necessary precursor to an action. For example: "Before we engage in the discussion, let's review the key facts".