right before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was immediately prior to some other action or event. For example: "I finished my presentation right before the meeting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Right before bed!

The New Yorker

Probably right before they left.

The New York Times

Well, he's been right before.

The New York Times

Yes, right before Empire.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Right before his death?

The Guardian - Film

(The episode aired right before the Masters).

The New Yorker

But maybe it was right before.

The New York Times

"It was right before Valentine's Day".

The New Yorker

Usually, they speak right before bedtime.

The New York Times - Sports

The Burmese fired mortars right before entering.

The New York Times

Right before they shot Sakha?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right before" to clearly indicate the sequence of events when the timing is critical. For instance, "Check the settings right before starting the experiment to ensure accurate results."

Common error

Avoid using "right before" when a less immediate temporal relationship is intended. If events are separated by a significant amount of time, use "earlier" or "previously" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right before" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating the temporal relationship between two events. It specifies that one event occurs immediately preceding another. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

39%

News & Media

34%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "right before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase to clearly indicate that one event occurred immediately prior to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application across various contexts. While suitable for most writing, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "immediately preceding". Remember to use "right before" to establish a clear temporal sequence and avoid using it when a less immediate relationship is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just prior to

Substitutes "right" with "just" and uses "prior to" for a slightly more formal tone.

shortly before

Emphasizes the brief interval before the event.

immediately preceding

Replaces "right before" with a more formal and precise term.

preceding

A more concise and formal version of "right before".

leading up to

Describes the period immediately preceding an event.

in the run-up to

Similar to 'leading up to', commonly used in British English.

in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation of something happening soon.

at the point of

Emphasizes a specific moment just before something happens.

on the verge of

Implies that something is about to happen imminently.

on the brink of

Highlights the imminence of an event, suggesting it's about to occur.

FAQs

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

Use "right before" to specify that an action or event occurred immediately before another. For example, "I checked my email "right before" leaving for work."

What are some alternatives to using "right before"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "immediately preceding", "just prior to", or "shortly before".

Is it ever incorrect to use "right before"?

While generally correct, "right before" may be too informal for certain contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "immediately preceding".

What's the difference between "right before" and "just before"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Just before" might imply a slightly less immediate sequence than "right before", but the difference is often negligible.