first before

USAGE SUMMARY

'first before' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something must be done before something else. For example, "You should read the instructions first before turning on the device."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe the Swiss should think first before crying foul.

The New York Times

Fray them first before bleaching.

WikiHow

Weave in the yarn ends first before blocking.

WikiHow

Always research insurance coverage first before buying a vehicle.

WikiHow

Check first before you go.

The New York Times

First, before the Volto Santo.

The New York Times - Travel

They have to show performance first before they are recognized".

The New York Times

"I read Proust first, before Freud," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Get in first before the crowds.

Science Magazine

First, before the praise, the pain.

Forbes

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored Villa's first before Saido Berahino replied.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in tense and voice when describing sequential actions using "first before" to improve clarity and readability. Example: Instead of 'First, I ate; before that, the food was prepared,' use 'First, I ate; before that, I prepared the food.'

Common error

Avoid using additional sequencing words like "then" or "next" immediately after "first before", as it can create unnecessary repetition and make the sentence sound awkward. For example, instead of 'First before, then...', simply state the initial action followed by the subsequent one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first before" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating the sequence of events. It specifies that one action should precede another. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show its usage in providing instructions, giving advice, and describing processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first before" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to clearly establish the order of actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though leaning towards neutral to informal settings. When writing, ensure clarity and avoid redundancy by not adding extra sequencing words. Remember that the primary purpose of using "first before" is to instruct or guide someone through a series of steps, emphasizing the correct sequence for optimal results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier

Simply indicates something happened at an earlier time.

at first

Focuses on the initial stage, often implying a change later.

prior to

Emphasizes the temporal precedence, making it more formal.

to begin with

Highlights the initial step in a sequence.

beforehand

Highlights the action of doing something in advance.

at the outset

Emphasizes the very start of a process or event.

initially

Focuses on the start or the beginning stage of an action.

in advance

Highlights preparing for something ahead of time.

previously

Refers to a time or action that came earlier.

aforementioned

More formal and refers back to something already mentioned.

FAQs

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

Use "first before" to indicate the correct sequence of actions, emphasizing which action should be completed earlier. For example, "Read the instructions "first before" assembling the furniture."

What are some alternatives to using "first before"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to", "beforehand", or "initially" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey. For instance, "Prior to the meeting, review the agenda" offers a more formal tone than ""first before" the meeting, review the agenda".

Is it grammatically correct to say "first before"?

Yes, "first before" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a sequence of actions where one action precedes another. Its usage is supported by numerous examples from various sources, as shown by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "first before" and "before"?

"First before" emphasizes the priority or sequence of actions more explicitly compared to simply using "before". While "before" indicates a temporal relationship, "first before" highlights that the initial action is a necessary prerequisite.