before we resume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we resume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a pause or interruption in an activity or discussion, suggesting that something will happen prior to continuing. Example: "Before we resume our meeting, let's take a moment to review the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said: This correction thus looks healthy and could even go as far as 6,550 before we resume higher.

The Guardian - Business

"The sixth point [is that] a sense of trust must be reached before we resume the three co-operations which had been suspended".

The Guardian

1807: There's going to be a change for Zenit before we resume.

BBC

Now that I'm back, I'm focused on auditioning for projects I can do before we resume taping in September.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There was a leisurely interval while engine and passengers were refuelled with diesel and cappuccinos, before we resumed our journey into the heart of old Sardinia.

The Guardian - Travel

Using her Martian language skills, the American Airlines woman proposed to take us "through the border" at Heathrow, for a night of rest before we resumed our journey the next morning.

The New York Times

The next day Israeli right-winger – and member of Netanyahu's government – Naftali Bennett made clear what this meant, "Before the talks resume, we will lobby dozens of members of the US Congress to whom I will personally explain during a visit beginning on Tuesday that Israel's security is in jeopardy".

The Guardian - Opinion

"We had a meeting a little bit before we went out to resume [at 5pm], and discussed it.

The Guardian - Sport

We had two weeks before classes resumed, and we wanted to meet French Canadian women, but just past the bridge over the Barge Canal north of Albany I saw a sign: "Saratoga Springs, 25 miles".

The New York Times - Sports

"What we want is for the government to agree to a ceasefire before talks resume.

The Guardian

It may be months before they resume normal operations.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we resume" to clearly signal a temporary break or interruption in a conversation, meeting, or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "resume" when "continue" or "begin" would be more appropriate. "Resume" implies a previous interruption, so ensure the activity has indeed been paused. Use "before we continue" or "before we begin" if there was no interruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we resume" acts as an introductory phrase or conjunction, often functioning as an adverbial clause. It sets a temporal condition, indicating that some action or event must occur prior to the continuation of a previously interrupted activity. As Ludwig AI explains, it correctly signals a temporary break.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we resume" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that something needs to happen before a paused activity continues. While grammatically correct and usable in written English, its frequency is relatively low, predominantly appearing in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, emphasizing its role in clearly signaling a break and subsequent continuation. When writing, be mindful of the contexts where "resume" is appropriate, ensuring that a true interruption has occurred, and consider alternatives like "before we continue" for scenarios where there has been no interruption. As always, attention to the context will ensure the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we recommence

Uses 'recommence', a synonym for 'resume'.

before we carry on

Uses the phrasal verb 'carry on' to mean continue.

before we proceed again

Uses 'proceed again' to denote resuming.

prior to our resumption

More formal alternative, uses a noun form of 'resume'.

before we take it up again

Expresses resuming something with 'take it up again'.

until we pick up again

Rephrases the concept using 'pick up again' to indicate resuming.

prior to our continuation

Emphasizes the act of continuing after a pause.

ahead of our return

Focuses on the 'return' to the activity.

until we start up again

Informal alternative using 'start up again'.

before we get back to it

Casual phrasing indicating a return to a previous task.

FAQs

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

You can use "before we resume" to indicate a pause or interruption in an activity or discussion, suggesting that something will happen prior to continuing. For example: "Before we resume our meeting, let's take a moment to review the agenda."

What are some alternatives to "before we resume"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to continuing", "before we continue", or "prior to our resumption", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "before resuming" instead of "before we resume"?

Yes, "before resuming" is grammatically correct. It's a more concise way to express the same idea, often used when the subject is clear from the context, or is impersonal. For instance, "Before resuming the experiment, we waited 30 minutes."

What is the difference between "before we resume" and "after we resume"?

"Before we resume" indicates something that should happen prior to the continuation of an activity, while "after we resume" indicates something that should happen following the resumption of an activity. The timing of the event is the main difference.