before we head

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we head" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a time or action that will occur prior to another specified event or action. Example: "Before we head to the beach, let's make sure we have sunscreen and towels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Emmanuel, my companion and guide, has recommended this place to me before we head into Jamestown.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before we head out, we treat ourselves to lunch at Hilary's Cafe, near the airport.

The Guardian - Travel

It's traditionally been the last week of slovenliness before we head back to school, sixth form and now university.

Independent

They found a bench just inside, in the shade, and Gabe said, "Let's sit awhile before we head back".

The New Yorker

It is the first time she has been coy with me, and we both laugh, gathering up our things before we head in separate directions.

Independent

"We've got a tough schedule before we head there so we're going to have to make sure that we're ready to play when we get there".

Independent

"It's now up to all of them to set down their marker over the next 10 weeks, before we head to New Zealand".

The Guardian - Sport

Before we head upstairs to see Precious's largest closet, there is a rustle from the main house, and Jack darts to the door.

The New York Times - Magazine

We deserve full disclosure, not some harried doctor who throws a couple of pain management choices our way moments before we head for surgery.

The New York Times - Health

We hope to get some great shots of the animals we find in the next few days before we head back to Hanoi to prepare for our next two survey sites.

The New York Times

The old saying goes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so many of us do as we are told and grab a bowl of cereal before we head out the door.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we head" to clearly indicate the order of events, ensuring that the action preceding the heading is understood. For instance, "Before we head to the meeting, let's review the agenda" clarifies that reviewing the agenda should happen first.

Common error

Avoid using "before we head" when the intended meaning is simultaneous action. For example, do not say "Before we head to the party, we are already having fun", because that would imply starting to have fun before going to the party, which doesn't make sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we head" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies an action or event that must occur prior to the main clause's action of heading somewhere. This establishes a clear sequence of events, as demonstrated in many of the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before we head" is a common and grammatically correct temporal conjunction used to indicate that an action should occur prior to a departure or transition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. This phrase is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives exist for professional or academic settings. Remember to use "before we head" to establish a clear sequence of events, and avoid it when describing simultaneous actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we depart

More formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

before our departure

Similar in formality and meaning, focusing on the act of leaving.

prior to leaving

More concise and focuses on the act of leaving.

prior to our departure

More formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

before setting off

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or activity.

in advance of our leaving

Very formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

before taking off

Similar to "before setting off", but often implies a quicker or more abrupt departure.

ahead of our going

Slightly less common and emphasizes the act of going.

preceding our travel

Highlights the travel aspect and uses more formal language.

before our move

Focuses on the action of changing location or direction.

FAQs

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

Use "before we head" to indicate an action that should be completed prior to leaving or going to a specific location. For example, "Before we head to the airport, let's confirm our flight details".

What are some alternatives to "before we head"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to our departure", "before our departure", or "before we depart" depending on the context.

Is "before we head" formal or informal?

"Before we head" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in various contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for professional settings.

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

"Before we head" indicates an action that occurs prior to departing or going to a certain place, while "after we head" implies an action that will occur following the departure or arrival at a destination.