making sure beforehand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making sure beforehand" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of confirming or verifying something prior to an event or action. For example: "I will be making sure beforehand that all the documents are ready." Alternative expressions include "ensuring in advance" and "confirming ahead of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We also opted not to bring a car seat after making sure beforehand that we would be able to get one in every place we traveled.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She had made sure, beforehand, that I would be able to fit into her oldest daughter's pair.

The New Yorker

Says Soond, "Always make sure beforehand you can publish.

Science Magazine

Make sure beforehand if anyone attending the party has food allergies.

WikiHow

Make sure beforehand that a lot of people are coming to protest, and that they're serious about it.

WikiHow

Use blankets for shields, use couches as home bases, etc.! Make sure beforehand that everybody who is coming likes participating in a pillow fight.

WikiHow

Make sure beforehand that your driver's license is with you and your valid proof of insurance and registration are up-to-date and in your glove box for easy access.

WikiHow

She liked to study the text and character carefully beforehand, making sure she knew them thoroughly, and then to rehearse as much as possible and film multiple takes of a scene.

Wikipedia

Choose your spot carefully beforehand, making sure noting - and nobody - will get soaked or soiled - unless, of course, you want to "surprise" somebody who enjoys a good loud pop every now and again!

WikiHow

Color Mario, lightly erasing all of your lines beforehand (but making sure they're still slightly visible).

WikiHow

"Whatever you do," she said, "don't succumb to the temptation of a fantastic Europe deal without making sure you can get affordable air beforehand".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase after the specific action to which it refers to maintain clarity, as seen in Ludwig examples where characters 'study the text' or 'research a potential homestay'.

Common error

Avoid using 'beforehand' as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'the beforehand check'. Instead, use 'the prior check' or keep 'beforehand' as an adverb by rephrasing to 'checking beforehand'. This ensures your sentence remains grammatically sound and professional.

Linguistic Context

In most contexts found in Ludwig, "making sure beforehand" functions as a gerund phrase or a participial phrase. It often acts as a subordinate clause that explains the necessary condition or preparation for a main action. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and usable phrase that follows standard English syntactic rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Social Media

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "making sure beforehand" is a robust and effective phrase for describing the act of verification before an event. Ludwig analysis shows it is particularly prevalent in instructional and journalistic writing, where it serves as a bridge between preparation and action. Whether you are following a recipe on WikiHow or reading a feature in The New Yorker, the phrase remains a staple of clear English. Ludwig AI notes its high frequency and 'RESPONSE_YES' status, confirming it as a reliable choice for writers looking to emphasize caution and thoroughness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensuring in advance

Uses more formal vocabulary ('ensuring') and a standard prepositional phrase ('in advance') for a professional tone.

making certain beforehand

Replaces 'sure' with 'certain' to imply a slightly higher degree of conviction and finality.

checking ahead of time

Shifts the verb from 'making sure' to 'checking', which is slightly less conclusive but very common in spoken English.

verifying beforehand

Replaces the phrasal verb with a single, more precise Latinate verb, making it suitable for scientific or technical contexts.

confirming in advance

Focuses on the act of getting confirmation rather than the general state of being sure.

double-checking beforehand

Emphasizes a repeat verification process, implying extra caution.

ascertaining beforehand

A sophisticated alternative often found in literature or high-level academic writing.

validating ahead of time

Focuses on proof and authenticity, common in data or security contexts.

establishing prior to

More formal and structural, often used in administrative or logical sequencing.

pre-checking

A concise, modern compound verb that functions well in fast-paced or technical instructions.

FAQs

Is "making sure beforehand" correct English?

Yes, "making sure beforehand" is a perfectly correct and natural way to describe verifying something in advance. It is widely used in reputable publications like "The New York Times" and "The Guardian".

What is a more formal way to say "making sure beforehand"?

A more formal alternative is "ensuring in advance" or "verifying prior to" the event.

Can I use "making sure beforehand" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, as a gerund phrase, it can function as the subject: ""Making sure beforehand" that your passport is valid will save you a lot of stress at the airport."

What is the difference between "making sure beforehand" and "checking beforehand"?

While "checking beforehand" implies a quick look, "making sure beforehand" suggests a stronger commitment to achieving certainty or preventing a specific problem.