is signed before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is signed before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a document or agreement must be signed prior to a specific event or action taking place. Example: "The contract is signed before the project officially begins to ensure all parties are in agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The agreement announced on Thursday night was more detailed than most expected, but nothing is in place until a formal deal is signed before the July 1st deadline.

The Economist

A sale is complete when the full payment is made and a final deed or conveyance of transfer is signed before a notary.

The New York Times

They note that it can take several years of work after a lease is signed before companies decide to invest $100 million in a deep-water well to determine how much oil or gas is below.

The New York Times

There is additional pressure because the United Nations' authorization for American troops to remain in Iraq expires at the end of the year; if no accord is signed before then, U.S. troops will have no legal basis to remain in the country.

The Washington Post

A prenup is signed before you are married – often weeks or months before --and then the agreement is put away in a drawer.

Forbes

The remarks, in a speech to tens of thousands in the northern city of Rasht, come after the White House signalled it would sign compromise legislation that gives the US Congress at least 30 days to consider any final agreement after it is signed, before Mr Obama can waive or suspend congressional sanctions.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Bradway said that he remains hopeful they will both be signed before camp opens.

The New York Times - Sports

The agreement was signed before, designed to have a final of Canada and the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

"If the contract was signed before, it's necessary to fulfil," argues Igor Sevastyanov, deputy CEO of Rosoboronexport, the state-controlled arms exporter.

BBC

He was signed before Dallas was granted a franchise.

The New York Times - Sports

An agreement was signed before dawn on Jan . 7 , 1977

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is signed before", ensure clarity by specifying the deadline or event that the signing precedes. This prevents ambiguity and ensures all parties understand the required timeline.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "the document is signed before". Always specify what the signing precedes (e.g., "the document is signed before the deadline", "the document is signed before the meeting").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is signed before" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that the act of signing must precede a specific event or deadline. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is signed before" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate temporal precedence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing frequent usage in contexts like news and media. For clarity, always specify what event or deadline the signing precedes. Alternatives like "must be signed beforehand" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. Ensure to clarify which event or deadline this refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be signed beforehand

Replaces 'is' with 'must be' for emphasis and 'before' with 'beforehand' to stress anticipation.

should be signed in advance

Substitutes 'is' with 'should be' to imply recommendation and 'before' with 'in advance' to indicate preparation.

needs to be signed earlier

Emphasizes necessity using 'needs to be' and uses 'earlier' as a synonym for 'before'.

has to be signed previously

Uses 'has to be' to show obligation and replaces 'before' with 'previously' to refer to a prior time.

must be executed prior to

Replaces 'signed' with 'executed' for a more formal tone and 'before' with 'prior to' to maintain a formal register.

is to be signed ahead of time

Rephrases the sentence to express intention and uses 'ahead of time' to stress anticipation.

is to be endorsed beforehand

Replaces 'signed' with 'endorsed' to imply approval and 'before' with 'beforehand' to stress anticipation.

is ratified ahead of

Replaces 'signed' with 'ratified', implying formal consent and approval, with 'ahead of' replacing 'before'.

is approved in advance of

Replaces 'signed' with 'approved', indicating formal agreement, and 'before' with 'in advance of'.

requires signature beforehand

Changes the structure to focus on the requirement of a signature and stresses anticipation with 'beforehand'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is signed before" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "must be executed prior to", "should be ratified in advance of", or "needs to be endorsed beforehand". Each option conveys a similar meaning while maintaining a professional register.

What does "is signed before" imply about the timing of the signature?

The phrase "is signed before" implies that the signature must occur at an earlier point in time compared to another specific action, event, or deadline. It emphasizes the required temporal sequence.

Is there a difference between "is signed before" and "is signed after"?

Yes, "is signed before" indicates that the signing action must happen prior to another event. Conversely, "is signed after" means the signing action must happen following another event. They establish opposite temporal relationships.

When is it appropriate to use "is signed before" in legal or official documents?

It's appropriate to use "is signed before" in legal or official documents when specifying a necessary order of operations, particularly if the signature is a prerequisite for subsequent actions. Ensure the phrase clearly defines what the signature precedes.