in the time before

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the time before" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurred prior to something else. For example, "In the time before computers, doing work was much more difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the time before the public announcement, Equifax also had enough time to create a website, equifaxsecurity2017.com.

The Washington Post

Just like in the time before glasses! you think.

The New Yorker

However, in the time before the internet, this was a different game.

The Guardian - Music

"In the time before the Withering, there was a religious practice called Recycling," reads the text.

The Guardian - Arts

I had not seen a lot of him in the time before this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But you could not possibly have existed in the time before your birth.

The New York Times - Books

The troops will be particularly vulnerable in the time before and during the establishment of new camps.

Engineering Structures

"Back in the time before the Internet," she said, "you knew it was summer because the hawthorn bloomed.

The New York Times

Tory MP Brian Binley questioned whether City Link was trading legally in the time before it went into administration.

The Guardian - Business

DR. SIEMERS: Now, the Prosecution has accused you of conduct contrary to international law and contrary to existing treaties, even in the time before Hiller.

Yale University

In the time before and after a single line of video data per video line, a frame of information can be received from the data bus.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the time before" to set a scene or provide context by contrasting a past situation with the present.

Common error

Be careful not to use "in the time before" when "before" alone would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the time before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the temporal context. Ludwig shows it commonly introduces a past scenario to contrast with a present or future one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the time before" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to establish a temporal context, often drawing a contrast between a past state and the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, science, and academic writing, serving to provide background or historical perspective. While alternatives like "prior to" or "previously" exist, "in the time before" offers a more descriptive and context-rich introduction. A key writing tip is to avoid redundancy by ensuring the phrase adds genuine value beyond simply using "before".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prior to that time

Replaces "in the time before" with a more direct and concise expression of precedence.

Before that period

Similar to "prior to that time", but uses "period" for a potentially longer duration.

In the era preceding

More formal and often used when discussing historical periods or significant changes.

Leading up to that point

Emphasizes the events or circumstances that occurred immediately before the specified time.

Previously

A simple and direct adverb indicating something happened earlier.

In earlier times

General phrase referring to a less specific, earlier period.

In anticipation of

Focuses on actions or preparations made before an event.

In advance of

Highlights proactive measures taken ahead of a particular time.

The pre-existing era

Highlights the fact that era already exist before a precise time.

Up until then

Indicates all the time leading to a specific moment.

FAQs

How can I use "in the time before" in a sentence?

Use "in the time before" to describe a period or situation preceding a specific event or development, as in "in the time before the internet, research was much more difficult".

What are some alternatives to "in the time before"?

You can use alternatives such as "prior to", "before that time", or "previously" depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "in the time before"?

Yes, consider using phrases like "in the era preceding" or "leading up to" for a more formal tone.

When is it best to use "in the time before" over simpler alternatives like "before"?

"In the time before" is useful when you want to emphasize the contrast between a past state and the current one, providing additional context and detail that a simple "before" might lack.