from before

USAGE SUMMARY

"from before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time prior to the present. For example, "I remember this from before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I know them from before".

The New York Times

Do you know John Lurie from before?

The Guardian

You know her from before?" "No".

The New Yorker

Our analysis from before is more or less still intact.

Yale University

"Is that the same girl from before?" I ask.

The New Yorker

"It was like apples and oranges from before," Gaughan said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a child I didn't know from before".

The New York Times

Remember those neat little lines from before?

TechCrunch

It stars the same actress from before, Milla Jovovich.

TechCrunch

Where is the thing from before?

Huffington Post

Remember that truck scenario from before?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from before" to clearly indicate a temporal relationship, showing that something existed or happened before a specific point in time. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "from before" in contexts where "before" alone is sufficient. Redundancy can make your writing sound awkward and less concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from before" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that something originates or exists prior to a particular point in time. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a temporal relationship, specifying that something originates or exists prior to a particular point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While versatile across various contexts, it's crucial to avoid redundancy and choose it deliberately to emphasize the origin or starting point in time, distinguishing it from simply using "before". Common alternatives include "prior to" and "previously", offering nuanced ways to express temporal precedence. Pay attention to the context to ensure the most effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to

Uses a more formal preposition to indicate a time preceding something else.

beforehand

Indicates something done or existing earlier in time.

previously

Emphasizes that something occurred at an earlier time.

in advance

Suggests preparation or occurrence ahead of a specific event or time.

earlier on

Informal way to indicate a time in the past.

in the past

General term for something that occurred at any point prior to the present.

formerly

Indicates a previous state or condition.

in earlier times

More descriptive, highlighting a past era or period.

back then

Informal reference to a time in the past.

dating back to

Implies existence since a specific time in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "from before" to indicate that something existed or occurred prior to a specific time or event. For example, "I knew him "from before" the war" or "The rules are different "from before"".

What are some alternatives to "from before"?

Some alternatives include "prior to", "previously", or simply "before", depending on the context. Choose the option that best fits the tone and clarity of your writing.

Is it always necessary to use "from" with "before"?

No, using "from" with "before" is not always necessary. In many cases, "before" alone is sufficient. "From before" is used to emphasize the point in time from which something originates. For example, "I've known him before" is correct, while "I've known him "from before"" adds emphasis.

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

"Before" indicates a time preceding a specific event or point. "From before" emphasizes the origin or starting point in time. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the starting point or simply indicate a preceding time.