established before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was set up or created prior to a specific time or event. Example: "The regulations established before the new law took effect are still in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That had not been established before".

The New York Times

This fact was established before the expenses scandal".

The Guardian

I made sure I was established before I risked the hiatus of maternity leave.

The Guardian

In fact, they substantially deviate from practices established before Election Day.

The New York Times

Mostly, the Knicks missed the offensive flow they had established before trading those two starters.

The New York Times - Sports

There was no scientific basis established before the court for these claims.

The Guardian

The records were established before the Indy Racing League changed its engine and chassis specifications.

The New York Times - Sports

"I would make sure I am established before taking any of those numbers," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

His decision to retire was already established before his last fight, against Bugner in July 1971.

The Guardian

The situation is firmly established before the opening credits, and it is painless.

The New York Times - Arts

The number of tricks and the trump suit are established before play by an auction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "established before", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was established and the timeframe being referenced. For example, "The guidelines were established before the project began" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "established before" without a clear reference point in time. For instance, saying "the system was established before" lacks specific context. Specify when it was established, such as "the system was established before the new regulations were implemented".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established before" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating that an action or state occurred prior to a specified time. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used correctly and is suitable for written English. Examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "established before" is a grammatically sound and very common way to indicate that something was set up or created prior to a specific time or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in English. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides a clear reference point for the time being discussed. For example, use it like "The guidelines were established before the project began".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously established

Emphasizes the state of being established at an earlier time, rather than the action of establishing.

established earlier

A more straightforward way to express the same concept, focusing on the time element.

pre-established

Uses a prefix to indicate that something was established in advance.

in place beforehand

Highlights that something was already in effect or position.

existing beforehand

Emphasizes the prior existence of something.

already in existence

Emphasizes the state of already being present or active.

predetermined

Focuses on the decision or setting of something in advance.

set up in advance

Highlights the action of setting something up ahead of time.

prior to

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate something happening before a specific time.

antecedent to

A more formal way of saying "before", often used in academic or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "established before" to indicate that something was set up or created prior to a specific time or event. For example, "The rules were "established before" the tournament started".

What are some alternatives to "established before"?

You can use alternatives like "previously established", "established earlier", or "in place beforehand" depending on the context.

What is the difference between ""established before"" and "currently established"?

"Established before" refers to something that was set up in the past, while "currently established" indicates that something is set up in the present. The former emphasizes precedence, while the latter emphasizes the current state.

Is it more formal to use "antecedent to" instead of ""established before""?

Yes, "antecedent to" is generally considered more formal than "established before" and is often used in academic or legal contexts. However, "established before" is suitable for most general writing purposes.