before we get underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we get underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time prior to starting an event, activity, or process. Example: "Before we get underway, let's review the agenda for today's meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just before we get underway, Beyoncé's popped a new song online with her producer man, BOOTS.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Before we got underway, we stated that Boku was interesting for a few reasons, including "where Boku is based, how much it has raised and from whom and how much it is worth post-IPO".

TechCrunch

Captain Laura Bassett will deliver what she hopes to he the last powerful words before we get back underway.

BBC

Experienced negotiators understand the importance of identifying their best alternative to a negotiated agreement, or BATNA, before talks get underway.

Harvard University

Nobody thinks about this before they get underway and suddenly they learn first hand what they phrase "cash flow crunch" means.

Forbes

With only 24 days before proceedings get underway at the soccer World Cup in Germany, the prospect of enjoying the spectacle on a crisp high-definition television could be titillating English fans to the point of sleeplessness.

Forbes

Before things get underway on Friday, watch the City of Rock rise in under a minute courtesy of time-lapse cameras organizers installed onsite.

Los Angeles Times

Experts see this back and forth as an effort by both sides to get the upper hand before the talks get underway.

Vice

This is something closer to the reverse: A firm anxious to scrub its name from the official record before the Games get underway.

Los Angeles Times

The typhoon delayed the task force for only a day, as the ships weathered the fringes of the storm at Subic Bay before again getting underway soon thereafter.

Wikipedia

Before the third quarter could get underway, Walker started the comeback with a goal nine seconds before halftime, off a King pass inside, to bring Prep within 10-7.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we get underway" to clearly signal a preliminary action or discussion before the main activity begins. This helps set expectations and ensures everyone is prepared.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "before we get underway" excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "before we start" or "before we begin" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we get underway" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the timing of an action relative to the start of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we get underway" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, suitable for signaling the commencement of an activity or event. As Ludwig AI states, it's considered correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the context and choose simpler alternatives for very informal settings. It’s prevalence across news, academic, and wiki sources underscores its broad applicability and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we begin

A very common and straightforward alternative.

before starting

A direct and simple alternative.

before we commence

A more formal alternative using "commence" instead of "get underway".

prior to commencement

Focuses on the formal start of something.

ahead of the start

Emphasizes the timing before something begins.

in advance of the kickoff

Suitable for events or projects that 'kickoff'.

preceding the beginning

Highlights the action of coming before the start.

preparatory to launch

Formal and highlights preparation.

in anticipation of the launch

More suitable when referring to specific project or product.

leading up to the initiation

Highlights actions that lead to starting something.

FAQs

What does "before we get underway" mean?

The phrase "before we get underway" means prior to starting or commencing an activity, event, or process. It indicates actions or discussions that should happen first.

What can I say instead of "before we get underway"?

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

Is "before we get underway" formal or informal?

The phrase "before we get underway" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "prior to commencement" exist.

How to use "before we get underway" in a sentence?

You can use it as in "Before we get underway, let's review the agenda" or "Before we get underway, does anyone have any questions?"