signed before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signed before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a document or agreement was signed at an earlier time or prior to a specific event or date. Example: "The contract must be signed before the project can commence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The agreement was signed before, designed to have a final of Canada and the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Bradway said that he remains hopeful they will both be signed before camp opens.

The New York Times - Sports

Contracts signed before 1999 were more beneficial than contracts signed afterward, which is due to more public sector support and infrastructure investments during the earlier period.

World Development

"The fact it's for 18 months, which is longer than I have signed before, is a confidence booster.

BBC

We think that's the forcing mechanism, just like the Budget Control Act that President Obama signed before".

Huffington Post

We signed before Thanksgiving".

The New York Times - Sports

He was signed before Dallas was granted a franchise.

The New York Times - Sports

An agreement was signed before dawn on Jan . 7 , 1977

The New York Times

Contracts signed before the slump will expire, and others will be negotiated on tougher terms.

The Economist

More agreements ought to be signed before the first iPads are shipped in March.

The Economist

Investment banks worry that the merger was signed before several key issues had been resolved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "signed before", ensure clarity regarding the specific event or date serving as the reference point. For example, "The contract was signed before the new regulations came into effect."

Common error

Avoid using "signed before" without specifying a clear reference point, as this can lead to confusion. Always include a specific date, event, or deadline to provide context. For example, instead of saying "The document was signed before", specify "The document was signed before the deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signed before" functions as a verb phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an action (signing) in relation to another event or time, specifying that the signing occurred earlier. Examples from Ludwig confirm its use in specifying temporal order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "signed before" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying that an action occurred prior to a particular time or event. While suitable for various registers, including news, science, and formal contexts, it's crucial to provide a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's analysis underscores the phrase's effectiveness in establishing chronological order and providing contextual clarity. When aiming for alternatives, consider "previously signed" or "signed prior to" for greater formality. The frequency analysis shows that "signed before" is most often encountered in News & Media and Scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously signed

Replaces "before" with "previously", emphasizing the temporal sequence.

signed earlier

Simplifies the phrase with a direct time reference.

signed in advance

Focuses on the proactive aspect of signing something early.

signed ahead of

Similar meaning, slightly more informal.

already signed

Highlights the completed action of signing.

signed beforehand

Emphasizes the preparation aspect of signing.

signed prior to

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

signed in anticipation of

Highlights the reason for signing something early.

signed at an earlier date

Adds specificity to the timing of the signing.

signed preemptively

Suggests a proactive measure to secure an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "signed before" to indicate that something was signed at an earlier time, like in the sentence, "The agreement was "signed before" the meeting."

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

A more formal alternative to "signed before" is "signed prior to", which adds a level of sophistication to your writing.

Is it correct to say "signed before to"?

No, "signed before to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is simply ""signed before"", followed by the specific event or date.

What can I say instead of "signed before" to emphasize urgency?

To emphasize urgency, you can use phrases like "signed immediately" or "must be signed before", depending on the context.