before we finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time prior to the completion of a task or discussion. Example: "Before we finish our meeting, let's summarize the key points we discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Unless Siberia thaws out before we finish deforestation.

The Guardian

Before we finish we talk about the possibility of those futuristic, wrap-around shin pads.

Independent

I would like to try to understand why, before we finish the paper.

The Guardian

Before we finish, he wants to play me a brand new song he's written.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a matter of time before we finish those off," Manfred said.

The New York Times - Sports

"So they can be back cooking before we finish the paperwork," Sheriff Shook said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Just before we finished, the shooting started.

The Guardian

"I was completely exhausted way before we finished the match.

The New York Times - Sports

We just ran out of gas before we finished them.

The New York Times - Magazine

We ended up losing a couple before we finished them off.

The New York Times - Sports

The season before, we finished bottom of the old fourth division and Arsenal were champions.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we finish" to clearly indicate a deadline or a point in time before an activity concludes. This helps in setting expectations and managing timelines effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "before we finish" when the completion is uncertain or highly speculative. Instead, opt for phrases that acknowledge the potential for the activity not to conclude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we finish" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs in relation to the completion of another action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we finish" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a point in time prior to the completion of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts. Its primary function is to establish a temporal relationship, making it valuable in setting deadlines and managing expectations. While its usage spans various registers, it appears most frequently in news and media, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to use it when the completion is reasonably certain to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the end

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same idea.

before we're done

Uses more informal language and focuses on being 'done' with something.

before we wrap up

Uses the idiom 'wrap up' to mean finish, making it slightly more informal.

prior to finalizing

Focuses specifically on the action of finalizing something.

prior to completion

Focuses on the completion aspect using formal language.

ahead of ending

Highlights that the event happens 'ahead' of ending.

until we are through

Emphasizes the state of being 'through' rather than finishing.

until the task is complete

Focuses on the completion of a 'task'.

leading up to the end

Highlights the period leading towards the end.

in anticipation of concluding

More formal and emphasizes anticipation of the conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "prior to completion", "before we're done", or "until we are through" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "before we are finished" instead of "before we finish"?

Yes, "before we are finished" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "before we finish". The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

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

You can use "before we finish" to indicate a point in time prior to the completion of an action. For example, "Before we finish this project, let's review the deliverables."

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

"Before we finish" indicates a time period leading up to the completion of something, while "after we finish" refers to the period following the completion. They are opposites in terms of timing.