comes before

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes before" is grammatically correct and is usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to something that happens before something else in sequence or time. For example, "The winter solstice comes before the summer solstice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We" comes before "I".

The Guardian - Opinion

That is what comes before and goes beyond language.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hence, "affect" comes before "effect".

Huffington Post

"Loyalty comes before integration".

The New York Times

We comes before I.

The Guardian - Opinion

Resentment comes before reason.

The New Yorker

Israel comes before everything.

The Washington Post

much comes before I'm ready.

Yale University

"Roots," of course, comes before that.

The New York Times

But for Cashman, Lee comes before Crawford.

The New York Times - Sports

In other words, business comes before family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comes before", ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of what is being prioritized and why. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "comes before" without clearly establishing the context of priority. For example, instead of saying 'Efficiency comes before', specify 'Efficiency comes before cost in this project' to provide clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes before" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating temporal or logical precedence. Ludwig shows this is used to establish order or priority, clarifying which element precedes another. The phrase helps structure arguments and narratives effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comes before" is a versatile phrase used to indicate precedence, whether in time, sequence, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains. While suitable for most contexts, more formal synonyms like "precedes" might be preferred in academic writing.

Remember to provide clear context when using "comes before" to avoid ambiguity. Understanding its function, purpose, and register will help you effectively integrate it into your writing, ensuring clarity and precision. It's very common in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precedes

This is a more formal, single-word synonym that directly indicates something happens before something else.

is prior to

This phrase emphasizes the order of events or importance, indicating that something is more significant or happens earlier.

happens earlier than

This alternative uses simpler language to express temporal precedence.

takes precedence over

This suggests a higher level of importance or priority, rather than just temporal order.

ranks higher than

Focuses on hierarchical importance, suggesting that something is of greater value or significance.

is ahead of

Indicates a position in a sequence or competition.

is the forerunner of

Implies that something is an early version or precursor to something else.

initiates

Suggests that something starts or begins before something else can occur.

paves the way for

Implies that something prepares or makes possible a subsequent event or development.

lays the groundwork for

Similar to paves the way, but emphasizes building a foundation for something to follow.

FAQs

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

The phrase "comes before" is used to indicate that one thing happens or is prioritized before another. For example, "In this company, safety "comes before" profit."

What are some alternatives to "comes before"?

Alternatives include "precedes", "is prior to", or "happens earlier than" depending on the specific context.

Is "comes before" a formal or informal expression?

"Comes before" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "precedes" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "comes before" and "takes precedence over"?

"Comes before" primarily indicates sequence or temporal order, while "takes precedence over" implies a higher level of importance or authority. The latter suggests one thing is favored over another due to its significance.