just before

USAGE SUMMARY

"just before" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened immediately before a certain time or event. For example, "She arrived just before the party started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was just before dark.

The New Yorker

They reached base camp just before dark.

The New Yorker

In the paragraph just before Sec.

Biology Direct

Toss just before serving.

The New York Times

Fats left just before graduation.

The New Yorker

Salt it just before cooking.

The New York Times

Just before 1 30 a.m.

The New York Times

At just before 3 a.m.

The New York Times

But just before a concert?

Independent

Just before 11 30 a.m.

The New York Times

They respond just before saccades.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just before" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where one happens immediately before another. This helps to establish a timeline and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "just before" when the events are simultaneous or have a significant overlap. Instead, use phrases like "during" or "while" to indicate concurrent actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just before" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an event relative to another. Ludwig showcases examples where it clarifies temporal relationships, such as "They reached base camp just before dark".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just before" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates an event occurred immediately preceding another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Its frequency is particularly high in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, suggesting its appropriateness across diverse registers. For greater clarity, avoid using "just before" when events overlap. Consider alternatives like "immediately prior to" or "right before" to vary your language while maintaining precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right before

This option uses a simpler term ("right") to convey the concept of immediacy.

immediately prior to

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the immediacy of the temporal relationship.

shortly preceding

This alternative highlights that the event occurred a short time before the other, adding emphasis.

directly ahead of

This phrase uses spatial language to indicate temporal proximity.

in anticipation of

This alternative focuses more on the expectation of the event rather than strict timing.

leading up to

This phrase suggests a process or build-up to the second event, not just a single moment.

on the verge of

Emphasizes the imminence of the following event but carries a slightly different connotation of expectancy.

at the point of

Focuses on a specific moment right before something occurs.

on the brink of

Implies that the second event is very close to happening, often with a sense of potential consequence.

in advance of

This phrase suggests a preparatory action taken before the main event.

FAQs

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

Use "just before" to indicate that an event happened immediately preceding another event. For example, "The rain stopped "just before the game" started."

What are some alternatives to saying "just before"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately prior to", "shortly preceding", or "right before" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "just before" and "before"?

"Just before" implies a very short time interval, suggesting immediacy. "Before" is more general and doesn't necessarily indicate a close temporal proximity. For instance, saying "He arrived before the meeting" doesn't specify how long before, whereas "He arrived "just before the meeting"" suggests he arrived moments before it began.

Can "just before" be used with any tense?

Yes, "just before" can be used with various tenses to describe past, present, or future events. Examples include "He left "just before I arrived"" (past), "She calls "just before lunch"" (present), and "We'll check "just before departure"" (future).