before working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time or condition that must be met prior to engaging in work or a task. Example: "Make sure to review the guidelines before working on the project to ensure you understand the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Always stretch before working out.

WikiHow

before working for the federal government.

The New York Times

(Ms. Kempner worked for Crispin Porter before working for MDC).

The New York Times

Mrs. Tafoya always prayed to Mother Clay before working.

The New York Times - Arts

I never thought about it much before working abroad.

The Guardian

(B.A., 1939), before working in Washington, D.C., as a congressional aide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rosenberg studied Irish literature at New York University before working in television as an editor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I did some really random jobs before working on Mad Men and Community," she says.

Independent

He said he would rest Wednesday before working out at an increased intensity Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Before working on the exhibition, she said, she hadn't been "one of those Sargent-o-philes".

The New Yorker

He had already reached the top of the charts before working with the Jackson 5.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before working", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action should be performed prior to commencing the work. This helps to avoid ambiguity and provides clear instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "before working" without specifying the action that precedes the work. For example, instead of saying "Consider safety before working", specify "Consider safety precautions before working on electrical equipment" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before working" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that an action or condition must occur prior to engaging in work. Ludwig AI validates the correctness and widespread use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

28%

News & Media

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before working" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for indicating a necessary preliminary action before commencing work. Its versatility allows usage across various registers, from informal instructions to formal guidelines. When using "before working", clarity is key: ensure the preceding action is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. Given its prevalence in both casual and professional contexts, mastering its usage can significantly enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to working

Replaces "before" with "prior to", adding a slightly more formal tone.

previous to working

A more formal substitute for "before", indicating sequence.

ahead of working

Highlights doing something in advance of starting work.

in advance of working

Stresses the importance of acting with enough lead time.

in preparation for working

Emphasizes the preparatory aspect of the action.

preliminary to working

Highlights the action as an initial step.

in anticipation of working

Highlights expecting and preparing for work.

earlier than working

Focuses specifically on the time element.

leading up to working

Indicates a series of actions before starting work.

until working

Marks an action as happening up to the point of starting work.

FAQs

How can I use "before working" in a sentence?

You can use "before working" to indicate an action that must be completed prior to starting a task. For instance, "Always read the instructions "before working" with power tools".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "before working"?

Some alternatives include "prior to working", "ahead of working", and "in preparation "for working"". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Which is more correct, "before working" or "prior to working"?

Both "before working" and "prior "to working"" are grammatically correct. "Prior to working" is generally considered more formal.

What kind of words or phrases usually follow "before working"?

Typically, a noun phrase that describes an activity or task that must be done first follows "before working". For example, "before working on the engine" or "before working with sensitive data".