this comes before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this comes before" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something precedes another in time, order, or importance. For example, "In the timeline of events, this comes before the major decision." Alternative expressions include "this precedes" and "this is prior to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Whether this comes before or after, "I work on commission," I do not recall.

The New York Times

This comes before solving the problem.

Independent

"One cannot fail to point out that this comes before the published book," he said.

The New York Times - Books

And all this comes before details of the plan have been released.

The New Yorker

This comes before the entire enterprise gets turned over to the money-making machine that is the N.C.A.A. tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

This is particularly concerning, the trust argues, because this comes before government plans to expand the offer have even been piloted.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

All this came before the publication last fall of de Soto's latest book, "The Mystery of Capital".

The New York Times - Magazine

If any more cases like this come before me, there will be some action taken.

The New Yorker

All this came before Vollard agreed to sit a hundred and fifty times, from eight in the morning to eleven-thirty, without a break, for a picture that Cézanne disgustedly abandoned.

The New Yorker

You could see this coming before the opening tip, the Nets figuring out what the playoffs are about in their first NBC appearance of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Will he not support me in bringing the waste management strategy and changes to this coming before they become decided upon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this comes before", ensure that the context clearly defines what 'this' refers to, avoiding ambiguity and ensuring clarity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "this comes before" when the connection between 'this' and what follows is unclear or weak. Make sure that 'this' directly and logically relates to the subsequent information to maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this comes before" functions as a transitional phrase, indicating temporal or logical precedence. Ludwig AI confirms that it connects two events, actions, or ideas by establishing that one happens or should be considered prior to the other. It sets up a sequence or order for clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this comes before" is a useful and commonly employed transitional phrase to indicate temporal or logical precedence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to establish a sequence or order, clarifying which action or event should be considered first. Although generally neutral in register, it leans towards informal and finds frequent usage in News & Media, Science and Wiki contents. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "this precedes" might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this precedes

Simple substitution of verb to indicate that something happens before.

this is prior to

Replaces 'comes before' with a more formal phrasing expressing precedence.

this takes precedence over

Indicates that something is more important and therefore comes first.

this ranks ahead of

Suggests a hierarchy where something is positioned earlier or higher.

this occurs earlier than

Focuses on the timing aspect, indicating something happening sooner.

this anticipates

Expresses that something comes before as an anticipation of an event.

this underlies

Emphasizes foundational importance, like what comes before as a base.

this clears the way for

Implies something must happen first to enable subsequent events.

this opens the door to

Suggests that something happening allows later events to occur.

this paves the way for

Similar to clearing the way, but with a stronger sense of preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "this comes before" in a sentence?

Use "this comes before" to indicate that an action, event, or consideration precedes another in time, order, or importance. For example: "Careful planning "this comes before" execution to ensure a successful project."

What are some alternatives to "this comes before"?

You can use phrases like "this precedes", "this is prior to", or "this takes precedence over" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is "this comes before" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, "this comes before" is more common in neutral to informal settings. For highly formal writing, consider "this precedes" or "this is prior to" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "this comes before" and "this is after"?

"This comes before" indicates that something happens or is considered earlier, while "this is after" indicates it happens or is considered later. They are opposite in meaning and establish different sequences.