guess before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guess before" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it lacks context and does not form a complete thought. Example: "I want you to guess before I reveal the answer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I guess before, we worried more how things look, and now we're more concerned with how we want to live as we look toward retirement".

The New York Times

So I guess before you can say anything, I am like Terri in that regard.

The New Yorker

Said "I'm a painter, I guess," before reading Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts".

The New Yorker

"I guess before the days of feminism you would say she did her own thing.

The New York Times

Where many hitters have no choice but to guess before the ball is thrown, Cabrera has the luxury of waiting and watching.

The New York Times - Sports

It's funny, everyone says TV is over, no one watches it anymore, but I guess before it left it decided to take one last shit over everything.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They're crisp and light, and not even slightly mealy, and if I'd tasted them blind I would have used up most of my twenty guesses before hitting on their main ingredient.

The New Yorker

Though few would have guessed before 7 15 p.m. Friday, Lehigh fans considered Duke an ideal matchup.

Huffington Post

Banks defend against this by limiting the number of guesses before they will confiscate the card.

Cornell University

I seem to recall feeling pleased with myself for having guessed before the end that Rosebud was... never mind.

The New York Times

It would take about 10 minutes, I guessed, before it would be dry enough to check properly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When prompting someone to make a prediction, use clearer phrasing such as "make a guess before..." or "try to predict..." to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "guess before" on its own, as it lacks context. Specify what should be guessed and what it should be guessed before for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

Instruction/Suggestion. While the phrase "guess before" is not grammatically correct on its own, it functions as an incomplete instruction, typically prompting someone to make a prediction or estimation. As noted by Ludwig, it lacks context and does not form a complete thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "guess before" is identified by Ludwig as grammatically problematic due to its lack of context and unclear meaning. While it appears in various sources, notably in "News & Media", its usage is more common in informal settings. For improved clarity and correctness, consider alternatives such as "predict in advance" or "make a guess beforehand". As the Ludwig AI pointed out, without adding more context the phrase sounds strange and incomplete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predict in advance

Replaces "guess" with a more formal synonym and clarifies the timing.

speculate beforehand

Offers a more thoughtful or analytical approach to guessing.

estimate ahead of time

Focuses on numerical or quantitative predictions.

anticipate previously

Highlights the act of foreseeing something before it occurs.

foresee in advance

Emphasizes the ability to see into the future to some extent.

conjecture ahead

Suggests a more tentative or uncertain guess.

presume at the outset

Implies making an assumption at the beginning of a process.

divine beforehand

Uses a more evocative verb to convey guessing using intuition or insight.

project in advance

Suggests a more formal estimation, often in a business or scientific context.

hypothesize prior

Introduces a more scientific tone and timing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "guess before" to be more grammatically sound?

Consider using phrases like "make a "guess" beforehand", "try to predict", or "estimate in advance" for improved clarity and correctness.

What is a good alternative to "guess before" in a quiz setting?

Instead of "guess before", you can say "predict the answer", "take a "guess" now", or "what's your prediction?"

Is "guess before" ever grammatically correct?

While not inherently incorrect, "guess before" often needs more context to make sense. For example, "guess before revealing the answer" provides a clearer instruction.

What's the difference between "guess before" and "predict in advance"?

"Predict in advance" is more formal and implies a degree of analysis or reasoning, while "guess before" is more casual but less clear. Use "predict in advance" when accuracy is valued, and rephrase "guess before" for better clarity.