before we leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that must be met prior to departing from a location or situation. Example: "Let's make sure we have everything packed before we leave for the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

before we leave Paris.

Stanford University

Just before we leave Savile the bogeyman..

The Times

"Perhaps even before we leave the church".

The New York Times - Travel

"We'll come say goodbye before we leave".

The New Yorker

But before we leave him, ponder this.

The Guardian

"I'm thankful we get to see him before we leave.

The Guardian

She'll be running the place before we leave here.

The Guardian

Just before we leave, though, a drunken man joins us.

The New York Times - Magazine

A few stats from the FT before we leave Texas.

The Guardian

So before we leave this, I mean before we leave talking about it, let's figure out what are the equilibria here.

Yale University

We are up tonight, working overtime to complete all of the projects before we leave Avani.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before we leave", ensure the context clearly defines the location or situation being left. For example, "Before we leave the office, let's back up the files".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what action needs to be completed "before we leave". Lack of clarity can cause confusion about tasks to be done prior to departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we leave" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies a condition or action to be completed before departing. It connects two events in time, indicating that one must precede the other. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

32%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we leave" functions as a temporal conjunction, used to indicate actions or conditions that must be met prior to departure. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase, showing that it appears frequently across various sources. While generally neutral in register, it is predominantly found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clearly defines what is being left and the actions needed before departure. Alternative phrases include "prior to our departure" or "before we depart" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just before leaving

Adds "just" to emphasize the immediacy before departure.

before we depart

Replaces "leave" with the more formal "depart".

right before our leaving

Highlights the timing immediately preceding the action of leaving.

prior to our departure

Replaces "before we leave" with a more formal and concise expression.

before our exit

Substitutes "leave" with "exit", emphasizing the act of going out or away.

before we head out

Replaces "leave" with the more informal "head out".

ahead of our departure

Uses "ahead of" to indicate the time leading up to leaving.

prior to our going

Replaces "leave" with "going", focusing on the act of movement.

in anticipation of leaving

Emphasizes the expectation or preparation for departure.

prior to our vacation

Uses the word "vacation" to indicate the purpose of leaving.

FAQs

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

Use "before we leave" to indicate an action or condition that must occur prior to departing from a place or situation. For example, "Before we leave the house, let's make sure all the doors are locked."

What's a formal alternative to "before we leave"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to our departure". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "before we leave" grammatically correct?

Yes, "before we leave" is grammatically correct. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

What can I say instead of "before we leave" to sound more casual?

You can use phrases like "before we head out" or "before we go" in more informal settings.