that came before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that came before" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that happened or was mentioned earlier in a sentence or in a previous conversation or text. Example: After reviewing the evidence, the judge overturned the previous ruling, stating that it was based on faulty information that came before.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The good things that came before were practice.

The New York Times

"This car is miles apart from anything that came before".

The New York Times

"He was different from those that came before," said Shaaban Abdel-Razek, one of the farmers.

The New York Times

Does this one feel different for you than the three that came before?

The New Yorker

Everything that came before is shunted into the category of prehistory.

The New York Times - Arts

This inflationary state that came before, however, was vastly different.

Forbes

The gist of the editorial: "The end matters … possibly more than all that came before".

Forbes

Ignore everything that came before and everything that will come after.

TechCrunch

Fundamentally, this World Cup, like all those that came before, is about worldwide connection.

Huffington Post

Listen to the people that came before and try to learn from them.

Huffington Post

That came before and after".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that came before" to clearly link a present situation to its historical context, ensuring the audience understands the sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the "that" in "that came before" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned item or event. Without clear reference, the phrase becomes vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that came before" acts as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by specifying something which preceded it. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that came before" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as supported by Ludwig AI. Functioning as a relative clause, it serves to provide context by referencing preceding events or items. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, writers should ensure the "that" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "preceding events" or "what preceded it" to add nuance. Its high frequency and broad applicability make it a valuable tool for clear and contextual writing. The expert rating of 4.5 reflects its grammatical correctness, consistent usage, and the high quality of sources in which it appears.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what preceded it

Maintains a similar structure but emphasizes the direct sequence.

preceding events

Focuses specifically on events and uses a more formal tone.

prior instances

Similar to "previous occurrences" but with a slightly more concise expression.

previous occurrences

Highlights instances that happened earlier, suitable for technical or analytical contexts.

earlier episodes

Implies a narrative or series of events, making it fitting for storytelling or recounting history.

earlier developments

Focuses on the unfolding of events and progress over time.

antecedent circumstances

Emphasizes causal relationships and uses a more formal, academic style.

the history leading up to it

Suggests a detailed account of past events influencing the present.

the foregoing

A formal term referring to what has already been mentioned.

the background

Provides general context and earlier information.

FAQs

How can I use "that came before" in a sentence?

You can use "that came before" to refer to events, ideas, or objects previously mentioned. For example, "The new invention surpassed all "that came before" it in terms of efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "that came before"?

Alternatives include "preceding events", "previous occurrences", or "what preceded it", depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

Is it always necessary to explicitly define what "that" refers to in "that came before"?

While not always mandatory, explicitly defining "that" ensures clarity. If the context makes the reference obvious, it can be omitted; otherwise, specify to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "that came before" and "the former"?

"That came before" refers to something that occurred earlier in a sequence, whereas "the former" is used to refer to the first of two items or ideas previously mentioned. Therefore, "the former" is appropriate only when contrasting two specific items.