minutes before

USAGE SUMMARY

"minutes before" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when indicating a specific period of time shortly preceding a certain event. For example, "I left my house only a few minutes before the sun had set."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'd seen him five minutes before".

The New York Times

45 minutes before bedtime.

HuffPost

5 minutes before: Fry eggs.

Los Angeles Times

5 minutes before: Finish pasta.

Los Angeles Times

5 minutes before: Sear scallops.

Los Angeles Times

Stretch for ten minutes before jogging.

WikiHow

She lasted four minutes before being released.

Independent

CHICAGO — A few minutes before 2 a.m.

The New York Times

It was about 20 minutes before landing.

Independent

Fifteen minutes before speech: Visit lavatory.

The New Yorker

Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or narrating events, use "minutes before" to precisely indicate timing for clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "minutes before" without a clear reference point. Always specify what the minutes are in relation to (e.g., "minutes before the deadline") to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minutes before" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurred in relation to another event. Ludwig examples show a variety of contexts where this phrase clarifies the temporal sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minutes before" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to establish a clear temporal relationship between events, indicating that something occurred shortly before another. Ludwig's examples highlight its use across various contexts, from news reports to instructional guides, showcasing its broad applicability. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the event to which the minutes relate. Consider alternatives like "shortly before" or "just prior to" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right before

Direct and casual, conveying immediacy.

shortly before

Focuses on the immediacy of the time leading up to an event, emphasizing brevity.

just prior to

Formal alternative, indicating a point immediately preceding another.

leading up to

Highlights the period of time that precedes an event.

a short while before

Adds a sense of slight duration to the time difference.

in the moments preceding

Emphasizes the very last instances before something happens.

not long before

Indicates that the interval was relatively brief.

close to

Expresses nearness in time without specific duration.

in anticipation of

Suggests that the time is spent awaiting a forthcoming event.

days before

Extend the time range with days instead of minutes.

FAQs

How to use "minutes before" in a sentence?

Use "minutes before" to specify the time leading up to an event. For example, "I finished the report five minutes before the meeting started."

What can I say instead of "minutes before"?

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

Is it better to use "minutes before" or "prior to"?

"Minutes before" is more informal and specific, while "prior to" is more formal and general. Choose based on the tone and audience of your writing.

How does the meaning of "minutes before" change with different time units?

The time unit preceding "before" changes the scope. "Days before" indicates a longer lead time, while "seconds before" indicates immediacy.