sentence before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sentence before" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a previous sentence or statement, but it needs additional context to be usable. Example: "As mentioned in the sentence before, we need to revise our strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Marriage represented a prison sentence before," Ms. Daigneault said.

The New York Times

How wonderful it was when one sentence followed logically from the sentence before!

The New Yorker

Eva had never communicated with me in a full sentence before; this one even included the word please.

Vice

The sentence before applies to pre-professional students, too.

WikiHow

The sentence before explains how he wants the weather to change in 'Sameness' and how much he loves snowflakes.

WikiHow

He served seven years of an eight year sentence before arriving in the UK in 2007.

Independent

Mr. Kimelman said that they wanted to learn his exact sentence before delivering the news.

The New York Times

He doesn't need to finish the sentence before adding with a shy, charming smile.

Independent

They will serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before they are released.

Independent

"It's obvious to everyone that they came up with the sentence before the facts were known".

The New York Times

Then President George W. Bush commuted the sentence before Libby could serve a day.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a previous sentence, use clearer and more accepted phrases like "the preceding sentence" or "the previous sentence" to enhance clarity and maintain a formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sentence before" in formal writing. While common in speech, it lacks the precision expected in professional or academic contexts. Opt for terms such as "the preceding sentence" to maintain a polished and authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sentence before" functions as a reference to a preceding statement. It's used to direct the reader's attention to a previously mentioned sentence. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, its usage can be improved by more precise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

7%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sentence before" is commonly used, particularly in news and media, it's often better to opt for more precise alternatives like "preceding sentence" or "previous sentence", especially in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks clarity and can be improved with better word choices. While its meaning is generally understood, using clearer alternatives enhances the professionalism and authority of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding sentence

Uses a more formal and direct adjective to describe the sentence.

previous sentence

Replaces 'before' with 'previous', offering a slightly more common synonym.

sentence above

Indicates spatial relationship on a page, implying the sentence is physically above.

the prior sentence

Uses 'prior' instead of 'before', adding a touch of formality.

aforementioned sentence

Refers back to a sentence already mentioned, typically in formal writing.

sentence in question

Highlights a specific sentence being discussed or analyzed.

sentence just stated

Emphasizes the immediacy of the sentence that was just written.

sentence I just wrote

Personalizes the reference, indicating the speaker/writer wrote the sentence.

sentence from before

More conversational; indicates a sentence stated earlier but less formal than 'aforementioned'.

that sentence

Simplifies the reference to a sentence previously discussed or obvious in context.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "sentence before"?

In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "the "preceding sentence"" or "the "previous sentence"".

Is "sentence before" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "sentence before" is considered less precise than alternatives like "the "preceding sentence"" or "the "prior sentence"".

Can I use "sentence before" in academic writing?

It's advisable to avoid "sentence before" in academic writing. More formal options like "the "aforementioned sentence"" or "the "sentence above"" are more suitable.

What does "sentence before" mean?

"Sentence before" simply refers to the sentence that comes immediately before the current one in a text. For better clarity, use more descriptive terms like "the "preceding sentence"".