this is before

USAGE SUMMARY

"this is before" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when contrasting the present situation to a condition that existed in the past. For example, "I used to live in the city, but this is before I moved to the suburbs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(This is before including a multiplier effect).

Huffington Post

This is before I knew about alginate.

The New Yorker

(All of this is before paying taxes).

The New York Times

This is before the cuts.

The Guardian

This is before he knew.

The Guardian - Books

And this is before the space laser.

The Guardian - Film

And this is before the war has even begun.

The Guardian

Of course, this is before the Wranglers waived him.

The New Yorker

This is before we factor in the risk of terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

And this is before we get to love.

The Guardian - Books

And this is before he sees the strange little girls.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is before" to clearly establish a chronological sequence, particularly when contrasting past and present states or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "this is before" when you should be using "this was before" to refer to a past event in relation to another past event. For instance, say "This was before the war started" instead of "This is before the war started" if both events are in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is before" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating a point in time that precedes a specific event or situation. It establishes a chronological relationship, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is before" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to establish a temporal relationship, indicating that something occurred prior to a specific event or time. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate to contrast present conditions to past situations. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure correct tense usage, particularly distinguishing it from "this was before" when referring to two past events. Predominantly featured in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral tone. When a more formal expression is needed, alternatives like "prior to this" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to this

More formal and direct, emphasizing the sequence of events.

before this time

Highlights the temporal aspect explicitly.

leading up to this

Focuses on the events that preceded the current situation.

previously

A concise and formal alternative.

in advance of this

Emphasizes preparation or anticipation.

beforehand

A more casual synonym for 'previously'.

up until then

Highlights a continuous period leading to the event.

in the time before this

More descriptive, explicitly referring to a past period.

preceding this

A formal term emphasizing the order of events.

antedating this

Formal and less common, implies historical precedence.

FAQs

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

You can use "this is before" to indicate that something occurred or existed at an earlier time. For instance, "This is before the new regulations were implemented" or "This is before I met my current partner".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "prior to this", "previously", or "in advance of this". For example, instead of "This is before the change", you could say "Prior to this change".

Is "this is before" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this is before" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and can be used when contrasting the present with a condition in the past.

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

"This is before" typically refers to a time before the present moment, while "this was before" refers to a time before a specific event in the past. For instance, "This is before I had children" (present) versus "This was before I moved to New York" (past).