previous to going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous to going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred before the act of going somewhere or doing something. Example: "Previous to going on the trip, we made sure to pack all necessary supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé performed "Love on Top" after having said on the black carpet about an hour previous to going on stage that she would be making an announcement.

Wikipedia

Some schools only allow beanbags, but others will allow you to bring your own beds, chest of draws etc. Ask your parents previous to going if you can bring such furniture that is allowed.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Participants could also click "Previous" to go back and change a response to a previous item within an instrument.

BMC Medical Genomics

There was no previous nexus to go on, so we started from scratch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The new president repudiated torture, but he allowed those who had carried out the previous policy to go unpunished.

The Guardian

Given Brazil's previous tendency to go into cardiac arrest whenever economies elsewhere became stressed, this is impressive.

The Economist

Attracted by work opportunities, eastern Europeans have been more likely than previous migrants to go to small towns and rural areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two previous ICC cases to go to trial concern the conflict in Congo.

The Guardian

Mr Rafferty claimed the company had rejected two previous Unite requests to go to the arbitration service, Acas.

BBC

Police believe a member of the Bakery had tried to get to Bailey the previous night, going to his apartment but finding the journalist was not at home.

The Guardian

If previous years are anything to go by, this is just the beginning.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the more concise and common alternative "before going" in most contexts for improved clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid using "previous to going" in informal contexts as it can sound overly formal. Opt for "before going" or simpler alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous to going" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the timing of an action or event in relation to the act of "going". It essentially modifies a verb or noun by specifying that something occurred before the act of going somewhere or doing something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous to going" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something occurred before the act of going. However, Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it's relatively rare and can often be replaced by the simpler and more common "before going". While understandable in most contexts, consider the formality of your writing and choose the phrasing that best suits your audience. For a formal tone, it may be acceptable, but simpler alternatives generally offer better clarity and flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before going

More concise and common alternative.

prior to going

More formal synonym for "before going".

ahead of going

Emphasizes being prepared or ready before going.

in advance of going

Highlights making preparations or arrangements before the act of going.

leading up to going

Focuses on the period of time preceding the departure.

earlier than going

Directly states that something happened at an earlier time.

in anticipation of going

Highlights expecting the departure and taking actions accordingly.

on the eve of going

Specifically refers to the day before the departure.

preceding going

Formal and less common way of saying "before going".

before departure

Replaces "going" with the noun form "departure".

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "previous to going"?

The simplest and often best alternative is "before going". It's less formal and more widely used.

Is "previous to going" grammatically correct?

Yes, "previous to going" is grammatically correct, but it can sound somewhat formal or stilted in modern English. It's generally understood, but alternatives are often preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "previous to going"?

You might use "previous to going" in more formal writing or speech where you want to create a slightly more elevated tone. However, consider whether a simpler alternative like "before going" would be more effective.

What are some synonyms for "previous to going" that maintain a formal tone?

If you need a formal alternative, consider "prior to going" or "in advance of going". However, be mindful of whether the formality is necessary for your context.