taken before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taken before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something was previously accepted, experienced, or encountered. Example: "The evidence was taken before the court during the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Regular photographic documentation was taken before, during and after treatment.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

However, pictures taken before show her typing on an iPad.

TechCrunch

I only wish I'd taken "before" pictures.

Huffington Post

Media samples were taken before and after the experiment.

BMC Cancer

Control measurements were taken before and 7 days after SNL.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Blood samples were taken before and immediately after competition.

Critical Care

Biopsies were taken before and seven days after the exposure.

BMC Systems Biology

What sports have you taken before?

WikiHow

Their decision was taken before Canada spoke.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Very sad to see him taken before his time.

Independent

"Some of them were taken before the war.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "taken before" to clearly indicate the order, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example, "Measurements were "taken before" and after the treatment".

Common error

Avoid using "taken before" when the sequence is implied or obvious from context. Overuse can make your writing redundant. For instance, instead of saying 'The photo was "taken before" the event occurred', consider 'The photo predates the event'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taken before" functions as a post-modifying adjective phrase, indicating when an action occurred in relation to another. Ludwig AI affirms its correct and usable nature, frequently modifying nouns to specify the timing of an event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taken before" is a versatile term primarily employed to establish a clear temporal sequence. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and usability are well-established. Predominantly observed in scientific and news contexts, "taken before" serves to accurately indicate that an action or measurement occurred prior to a subsequent event. While generally neutral in tone, writers should avoid redundancy by ensuring its use adds significant clarity. Related phrases such as "occurred previously" can offer stylistic alternatives. The decision of leveraging "taken before" should hinge on the purpose of distinctly articulating the sequence of actions, solidifying its role as a practical asset for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred previously

Replaces "taken" with "occurred" and uses the adverb "previously" instead of "before".

happened earlier

Substitutes "taken" with "happened" and "before" with "earlier".

decided beforehand

Implies a decision was "taken" or made "before" the relevant time.

done in advance

Highlights that the action was "taken" or completed "before" a particular point.

previously implemented

Suggests a measure or action that was "taken before" the current situation.

experienced prior

Refers to something that was "taken" as an experience "before" now.

accepted earlier

Indicates something was "taken" or agreed to "before" a specific time.

encountered previously

Highlights an event or situation that was "taken" or faced "before".

undergone before

Implies a process or experience that was "taken" or completed "before".

completed earlier

Emphasizes the completion of an action "before" a particular point.

FAQs

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

You can use "taken before" to describe an action or measurement that occurred prior to another event. For example, "Blood samples were "taken before" the exercise to establish a baseline."

What's a more formal alternative to "taken before"?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "previously acquired", "prior to", or "beforehand". For example, instead of "Pictures "taken before" show the damage", you might say "Photographs acquired prior to the incident illustrate the extent of the damage".

Which is correct, "taken before" or "taken after"?

Both "taken before" and "taken after" are grammatically correct, but they indicate opposite temporal relationships. "Taken before" means something happened earlier, while "taken after" means it happened later. Be sure to select the one that accurately describes the sequence of events.

Can I use "taken before" to describe decisions?

Yes, you can use "taken before" to describe when a decision was made. For example, "The decision was "taken before" all the facts were known."