right before me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right before me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is directly in front of you or happening at that moment. Example: "The beautiful sunset was right before me as I stood on the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Right before me, Ted Kennedy was given a special tour.

The New Yorker

It began: Right before me, as I write, is a folder in which my wife keeps the blotters from Mr. Eschner, the insurance man, Don's first report card, the letter from the income tax people about the gambling loss at Tia Juana, the press photograph of me greeting Helen Kane (in behalf of the studio) at the Pasadena Station and my literary output.

The New Yorker

"I was three years older and I would come up behind him, after he hit a ball 480 feet, and I'd hit a line drive to left and feel like the smallest, weakest player in the game, because this 18-year-old kid hit a ball 500 feet right before me".

The New York Times

Right before me is Roger Ehrenberg speaking about "big data".

TechCrunch

My whole world is crumbling right before me.

TechCrunch

"Right before me the signs implore me: Help the needy and show them the way.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

When I was young and worth offering free drugs to, some "Bad People" told me, right before, in grand journalistic tradition, "I made my excuses and left".

The Guardian - Opinion

She looked me up and down, and then, right before waving me away for another admirer, she spoke in the dry, croaky tone that made her career: "You kids make me feel like I'm at my own funeral".

The New Yorker

My boss gave me those earrings right before she fired me".

The New York Times

It struck me, right before everything else struck me much harder, that I should set them by his bed in case he needed them.

The New Yorker

-That kid on the bicycle who did a wheelie right before you punched me to either distract me momentarily or signal the attack: Cinematic.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right before me" to create a sense of immediacy and direct observation. It's effective in narratives to draw the reader into the scene.

Common error

Avoid using "right before me" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sound too informal. Opt for more precise and objective language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right before me" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the location or timing of an event in relation to the speaker. Ludwig shows its usage in describing events witnessed directly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Huffington Post

10%

The New Yorker

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Vice

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "right before me" is a prepositional phrase used to convey immediacy and direct observation. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it's more common in neutral registers like news and media, and should be used sparingly in formal writing. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "immediately preceding me" or "directly in front of me" might be more suitable. While the phrase may not be a common one, it is perfectly acceptable and often lends emphasis to the speaker's experience, as it places the reader directly in the moment alongside them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately preceding me

Emphasizes the temporal sequence with a formal tone.

directly in front of me

Focuses solely on spatial positioning, removing the temporal aspect.

just before my eyes

Highlights the visual aspect of witnessing something.

in my immediate vicinity

Broadens the scope to include the surrounding area, not just directly in front.

in front of my very eyes

Adds emphasis and a sense of astonishment or disbelief.

preceding my turn

Specifically refers to a sequence of events or actions.

in close proximity to me

Focuses on physical closeness without the implication of a direct line of sight.

right in my face

Suggests an unwanted or intrusive closeness.

the instant before I saw it

Highlights the temporal closeness to the instant of perception.

at the forefront

Emphasizes being in a leading or prominent position, rather than spatial presence.

FAQs

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

Use "right before me" to describe something that is directly in front of you or happening at that moment. For example, "The accident happened "right before me", and I couldn't do anything to stop it."

What are some alternatives to "right before me"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "directly in front of me", "immediately preceding me", or "just before my eyes".

Is "right before me" considered formal or informal?

"Right before me" is generally considered informal to neutral. In more formal contexts, consider using a phrase like "immediately preceding me" or "directly in front of me".

What's the difference between "right before me" and "in front of me"?

"In front of me" simply indicates spatial positioning, whereas ""right before me"" emphasizes immediacy and the act of witnessing something directly as it occurs.