before we starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we starting" is not correct in English.
It should be "before we start." You can use the corrected phrase when indicating a point in time prior to beginning an action or event. Example: "Before we start the meeting, let's review the agenda."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We're only two games in after all - surely we should give England a chance to lose the series before we starting foaming at the mouth and calling for Vaughan to be dropped, or Geoff Miller and Peter Moores to be replaced.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As before, we start with x = 0.1.

Security Informatics

As before, we start by investigating the upper predictability limit bound.

EPJ Data Science

"They were sacrificing before we started sharing".

The New York Times

"Quick question before we start," Krasser said.

The New Yorker

"We wanted to listen before we started talking".

The New York Times

Just a couple of quick administrative matters before we start.

Independent

"He liked to arm wrestle before we started recording".

Independent

And that was all planned before we started shooting.

The New Yorker

"Before we started rehearsal I got nervous," she confessed.

The New York Times

We talk through the menu before we start to cook".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form "before we start" instead of "before we starting" to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the gerund form ("starting") after "before" when a subject and verb are present. The correct structure is "before + subject + base form of verb" (e.g., "before we start").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we starting" functions as an introductory phrase, setting a temporal context. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI, which recommends using "before we start" instead. The function intended is to introduce an action that precedes another.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we starting" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in favor of the correct form, "before we start". Ludwig AI highlights this issue, recommending the grammatically sound alternative. While some instances of the phrase appear in news and scientific sources, the preferred option, "before we start", is suitable for all contexts, ensuring clear and accurate communication. Remember to use the base form of the verb after "before we" to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we start

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb "start".

before we begin

Replaces "starting" with the more formal "begin", indicating a similar commencement point.

prior to starting

Uses a more formal prepositional phrase to indicate the time preceding the start.

before we commence

Replaces "start" with "commence", offering a more formal and sophisticated alternative.

ahead of starting

Uses "ahead of" to indicate the period leading up to the beginning of something.

previous to starting

Offers a more formal and less common synonym for "before".

in advance of starting

Highlights the preparatory aspect of the time before beginning.

leading up to starting

Emphasizes the process or events that occur before the commencement.

preceding the start

Uses a noun phrase to describe the time before the beginning.

preliminary to starting

Indicates that what comes before is preparatory or introductory.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "before we starting"?

The grammatically correct way to say "before we starting" is "before we start". The word "start" should be in its base form.

Can I use "before we starting" in informal writing?

While you might encounter "before we starting" in informal speech or writing, it's generally best to avoid it in formal contexts. Use "before we start" for clarity and correctness.

What are some alternatives to "before we start"?

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

Is there a difference in meaning between "before we start" and "prior to starting"?

While both phrases indicate a time preceding an action, "prior to starting" is generally considered more formal than "before we start". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone of your writing.