Come before
verb
To happen or appear earlier than something in a sequence or order.
The letter A comes before the letter B in the alphabet.
Often appears as...
- data comes before interpretation
- practice comes before perfection
verb
To be considered more important than something else.
My children's needs come before anything else.
Often appears as...
- family comes before business
- duty comes before pleasure
Usage tips
Approving
verb
To present or introduce something for consideration or judgment.
The case will come before a judge next week.
Often appears as...
- issue come before parliament
- proposal comes before committee
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To happen or appear earlier than something in a sequence or order.
The letter A comes before the letter B in the alphabet.
Often appears as...
- data comes before interpretation
- practice comes before perfection
verb
To be considered more important than something else.
My children's needs come before anything else.
Often appears as...
- family comes before business
- duty comes before pleasure
Usage tips
Approving
verb
To present or introduce something for consideration or judgment.
The case will come before a judge next week.
Often appears as...
- issue come before parliament
- proposal comes before committee
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Clarity
Use 'come before' to clarify the order of steps, events, or items.
In a book, the introduction comes before the first chapter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Come before' often refers to order, not physical location.
Breakfast comes before lunch, but the kitchen is where both are made.
Pro Tip 3/3Timeline Reference
It implies a timeline where one thing is positioned earlier than another.
In history, the medieval period comes before the Renaissance.
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Clarity
Use 'come before' to clarify the order of steps, events, or items.
In a book, the introduction comes before the first chapter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Come before' often refers to order, not physical location.
Breakfast comes before lunch, but the kitchen is where both are made.
Pro Tip 3/3Timeline Reference
It implies a timeline where one thing is positioned earlier than another.
In history, the medieval period comes before the Renaissance.
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Clarity
Use 'come before' to clarify the order of steps, events, or items.
In a book, the introduction comes before the first chapter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Come before' often refers to order, not physical location.
Breakfast comes before lunch, but the kitchen is where both are made.
Pro Tip 3/3Timeline Reference
It implies a timeline where one thing is positioned earlier than another.
In history, the medieval period comes before the Renaissance.
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