before the meeting

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Earlier than the time when a meeting happens.

   Grammar: A time phrase; it usually comes at the start or end of a sentence and can be followed by 'of' plus a group: 'before the meeting of the committee'.

   Patterns

   • before the meeting starts
   • just before the meeting
   • the day before the meeting

   Please send me the figures before the meeting.

   Before the meeting, she checked the room and set out the chairs.

   I'll call you the day before the meeting to confirm the time.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformal

   In front of the people who are at a meeting, or in their presence.

   Grammar: Here 'before' means 'in front of' and is more formal; it is common in official or legal settings.

   Patterns

   • speak before the meeting
   • appear before the meeting

   The report was read out before the meeting.

   He refused to discuss the matter before the meeting.

Common combinations

just before the meeting

Just before the meeting, she got an urgent phone call.

the day before the meeting

The day before the meeting, everyone was still arguing about the agenda.

minutes before the meeting

Two minutes before the meeting, the projector stopped working.

before the meeting starts

Let's finish this before the meeting starts.

prepare before the meeting

You should read the notes before the meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

ahead of the meeting

Means the same and is common in business English, but sounds slightly more formal.

prior to the meeting

Also means the same but is very formal and mostly used in writing.

Opposites

Word family

meeting noun

an event where people come together to talk about something

meet verb

to come together with someone, often for a planned purpose

Commonly confused: before the meeting or before meeting?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “before the meeting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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