before we returned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we returned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that occurred prior to the act of returning. Example: "We had a wonderful time exploring the city before we returned home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Six months or so passed before we returned for a Christmas visit.

The New Yorker

Several years passed before we returned to the Caribbean in hurricane season.

The New York Times - Travel

But we wanted one more uncrowded Alaskan experience before we returned home.

The New York Times - Travel

While traveling, I plugged in my camcorder and we watched our vacation video even before we returned home.

The New York Times

Before we returned home, my battalion commander pulled each team aside and told us: "You have been to hell and back.

The New York Times

Just before we returned to our houses, we stopped at a similar outcrop to the one at which we found the shark spine that we visited briefly in 2011.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

BEFORE we return to the regularly scheduled cooking portion of our program, it is important to note that pigskins were never used to make American footballs.

The New York Times

A staggering revelation that is mentioned only briefly before we return to industry gossip.

The Guardian - Film

"It will take several years before we return to the volume levels we posted in the record-breaking years of 2007-2008," Mr. Grube said in August.

The New York Times

Before we return to last week's excruciating cliffhanger, there's time to reflect: a flashback to the first time we were out here in the desert.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But before we return to considering who might be in the frame, let's take a moment to consider how we arrived at that point.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we returned" to clearly establish a sequence of events, ensuring the action described occurred prior to the act of returning. For example, "We finalized the report before we returned to the office."

Common error

Avoid using "before we returned" when the action described actually happened after the return. Instead, use "after we returned" or "upon our return" to maintain correct chronological order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we returned" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating time. It modifies the main clause by specifying when the action or state described in that clause occurred, relative to the act of returning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we returned" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to establish a temporal sequence, indicating an action happened prior to a return. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Remember to use this phrase to establish chronological order in your writing and choose alternatives like "prior to our return" for more formal contexts. Avoid using it when describing events after the return to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to our return

Formal alternative using a noun phrase instead of a clause.

before our homecoming

Uses 'homecoming' to emphasize a return home.

ahead of our return

Emphasizes the anticipation of the return.

in anticipation of our return

Highlights the expectation surrounding the return.

leading up to our return

Focuses on the period of time immediately before the return.

previous to our return

More formal and less common than 'prior to'.

in advance of our return

Suggests preparations made before the return.

before coming back

Simpler phrasing, less formal.

until we came back

Shifts the focus slightly to the duration leading to the return.

by the time we returned

Indicates a point reached upon returning.

FAQs

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

Use "before we returned" to indicate an action or state that occurred prior to the act of returning to a place or situation. For example, "We checked all the doors /s/before+we+returned home".

What is a more formal alternative to "before we returned"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to our return", which uses a noun phrase instead of a clause to convey the same meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "before we returned"?

It would be incorrect if the action you're describing actually happened after the return. In that case, use "after we returned".

What's the difference between "before we returned" and "by the time we returned"?

"Before we returned" simply indicates something happened earlier. "By the time we returned" suggests something was completed or a certain state was reached at the moment of return.