before we talk

USAGE SUMMARY

"before we talk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when introducing an upcoming discussion or when referring to an already established conversation. Example: I'll review the documents you sent me before we talk about our next steps.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

See it quick, before we talk it to death.

The Guardian - Film

Bad news: Lou wants to soundcheck before we talk.

The Guardian - Music

"Before we talk," he said, "we must agree on one thing.

The New Yorker

Before we talk about your turtle, can we discuss the pond?

The New York Times

"Before we talk to the appointee, we talk to the one making the appointments".

The New York Times

It's time to drop the condition that Iran suspend enrichment before we talk.

The New York Times

But before we talk about the wine, let's talk a little bit more about the place.

The New York Times - Food

There's a lot of football to play before we talk sociology.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now, before we talk about their portfolios, we say, How are you feeling?" she said.

The New York Times

And that's before we talk of rebuilding what Gaddafi destroyed over the last eight months.

The Guardian - Opinion

As far as I'm concerned, before we talk about art, we should listen to them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before we talk", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be addressed or considered beforehand, avoiding ambiguity and keeping the focus clear.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "before talk" as they are grammatically incorrect. Always include the subject and verb ("we talk") to maintain proper sentence structure and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we talk" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a condition or preliminary action that must occur before a conversation or discussion takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we talk" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce a condition or preliminary action preceding a conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, it is considered correct. It maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "before we talk", be sure to clarify what needs to be addressed beforehand to ensure clarity and set appropriate expectations. Alternative phrases like "prior to our discussion" can be used for increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before discussing it

More concise and direct, suitable for less formal contexts.

before getting into it

Informal and conversational, suggesting a deeper dive into the subject.

prior to our discussion

Formal alternative, emphasizing the chronological order of events with a focus on formality.

let's address this first

Shifts the focus to action, suggesting immediate attention to the preliminary matter.

first, let's consider

Highlights the act of thoughtful consideration before proceeding to a broader discussion.

preliminary to our conversation

Very formal and emphasizes that something must be handled before the main conversation.

ahead of our chat

Casual and friendly, appropriate for informal settings.

we must first

Highlights obligation. Useful for strict/necessary requirements to comply with before talking.

on the condition that we first

Useful when there is a prerequisite to fulfill before talking.

with the requirement that we initially

Useful when there is a mandatory thing to fulfill before talking.

FAQs

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

You can use "before we talk" to introduce a necessary preliminary action or topic. For example, "Before we talk about the budget, let's review last year's expenses".

What are some alternatives to saying "before we talk"?

Alternatives include "prior to our discussion", "before discussing it", or "let's address this first", depending on the context.

Is "before we talk" formal or informal?

"Before we talk" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal situations, phrases like "prior to our discussion" might be more appropriate.

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

"Before we talk" indicates something that needs to happen before a conversation, whereas "after we talk" implies something that will happen following the conversation. The order of events is reversed.