# No more "before" - a tale of a changing language **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954 "2004-01-31T22:14:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/1 "2004-01-31T22:14:24Z")
In the past few years, I’ve noticed that fewer and fewer people use the word “before.” Instead, “prior to” is increasingly used. At work, when reviewing the writing of others, I’m _always_ red-penning “prior to,” and substituting “before.” When did the shift from “before” to “prior to” begin? Why? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/2 "2004-01-31T22:22:09Z")
Google results: “Before” - 153,000,000 hits. “Prior to” - 11,600,000 hits. Looks to me like “before” is still far more frequently used. I think it’s just another example of corporate pseudo-intellectualism, like saying “myself” when they mean “we” or using the phrase “as per”. ---
**Author:** ![Quint\_Essence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/54ee81/32.png) [@Quint\_Essence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint_Essence)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/3 "2004-02-01T00:18:42Z")
I havent noticed a decrease in the use of “before” in everyday usage. I think in general (possibly even due to the net itself) people generally are becoming more precise as well as more eloquent in their speech and even more in the written word. One word I have always wondered about though is “lit”. As in I went over and lit the fire. Or, ‘A smile lit up her face’. I almost never see the word written anymore and have even seen lighted substituted in reprinting of older works. I have not however seen anything to suggest it is for instance a bastardized word like ain’t or something similar. Just something I have wondered about… ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/4 "2004-02-01T00:31:40Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > …saying “myself” when they mean “we”… Sorry to hijack, but can you please give an example of this? I can’t place it. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/5 "2004-02-01T00:34:57Z")
> [@Eleusis](#): > > Sorry to hijack, but can you please give an example of this? I can’t place it. I think he meant to say “me” and examples abound. As for myself, I prefer to say “me”. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/6 "2004-02-01T00:38:18Z")
> [@Hari Seldon](#): > > I think he meant to say “me” and examples abound. As for myself, I prefer to say “me”. Yes, I meant “me”. Would you believe someone turned my M key upside-down? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/7 "2004-02-01T00:50:00Z")
Never noticed the ‘prior to’ thing…but I suspect I’m guilty of it. Another one, which really really annoys me ever since it was pointed out to me: the word ‘whilst’ is utterly unnecessary. Always use ‘while’. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/8 "2004-02-01T01:14:37Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Yes, I meant “me”. Would you believe someone turned my M key upside-down? No sir, I wouldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it one bit. [/Mr. Horse] ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/9 "2004-02-01T02:23:08Z")
I believe these are the same people who insist upon saying “at the present time” instead of “now”. They think it makes them sound more intelligent. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicBanana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AtomicBanana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicBanana)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/10 "2004-02-01T02:46:01Z")
Or the people who use the word ‘utilize’ when they could just as easily utilize the word ‘use.’ ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/11 "2004-02-01T03:11:56Z")
These words always show up in goverment papers and press releases where I think they must get paid by the letter. Signage = Signs Embayment = Bay Linkage = Link Action Plan = Plan Witnessed = Saw Physically Challenged = Disabled Mandated Requirements = either Mandates or Requirements ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/12 "2004-02-01T12:55:52Z")
Quibbles… > [@VernWinterbottom](#): > > Signage = Signs Two different things…if you repaint a sign with different lettering, it’s new signage but the same sign. > [@](#): > > Linkage = Link Is linkage not a collective noun? Assuming it’s used correctly… > [@](#): > > Witnessed = Saw I’d presume the distinction to be that ‘witnessed’ implies that person would be capable of describing what they saw with some accuracy. > [@](#): > > Physically Challenged = Disabled Some disabilities are not physically challenging. Some have mental illnesses have affects on physical mobility in various ways. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/13 "2004-02-01T16:03:02Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > …the word ‘whilst’ is utterly unnecessary. Always use ‘while’. Why? It’s an example of two words with the same meaning. English has lots of pairs like that, which allows a greater range of stylistic choices. It’s not like using two or three words where one would do, which is what the OP was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/14 "2004-02-01T19:19:27Z")
> [@VernWinterbottom](#): > > These words always show up in goverment papers and press releases where I think they must get paid by the letter. > > Signage = Signs When I worked in retail, signage referred to not just the actual signs, but any merchandising product featuring the same logos or theme. i.e. a shipment of signange for a new merchandising rollout could include signs, stickers, buttons, window clings, banners, or any other number of items that wouldn’t necessarily fall under the single category of ‘signs’. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/15 "2004-02-01T19:27:15Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > Why? > > It’s an example of two words with the same meaning. English has lots of pairs like that, which allows a greater range of stylistic choices. It’s not like using two or three words where one would do, which is what the OP was talking about. Because using ‘whilst’ sounds pretentious. IMHO 😃 It’s not a stylistic choice, it’s an etymological mutant (no that isn’t a technical term 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/16 "2004-02-01T23:36:54Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > I believe these are the same people who insist upon saying “at the present time” instead of “now”. They think it makes them sound more intelligent. It’s worse than this. They say “at this time” when they don’t need to say anything at all. I always notice this in US airports. “Could all passengers travelling to Denver please proceed to Gate 3 at this time”. Does the announcer think if they just said "“Could all passengers travelling to Denver please proceed to Gate 3” those listening might think the announcer meant “next week” or what? ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/17 "2004-02-02T00:07:18Z")
“At this time” sounds a bit more polite than “now.” “Now” has an essence of command. Other terms, such as “signage” are legalese and usually only used in leases and like documents. The term includes a subset of items not usually considered “signs” such as the writing on and sizes of awnings, banners, flags, flyers and any other identifying or advertising materials visible from the street or affixed to the facade of the building. ## Using “prior to” instead of “before” removes any chance of ambiguousness, especially in legal documents. “Prior to” means preceding - nothing else. “Before” has many usages, some of which may totally screw up the intent and meaning of any legal document: ## ADVERB: 1. Earlier in time: They called me the day before. 2. In front; ahead. PREPOSITION: 1. Previous to in time; earlier than. 2. In front of. 3. In store for; awaiting: The young man’s whole life lies before him. 4. Into or in the presence of: She asked that the visitor be brought before her. 5. Under the consideration or jurisdiction of: The case is now before the court. 6. In a position superior to: The prince is before his brother in the line of succession. CONJUNCTION: 1. In advance of the time when: See me before you leave. 2. Rather than; sooner than: I will die before I will betray my country. ---
**Author:** ![Roches](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/18 "2004-02-02T00:12:53Z")
I think I could write a book, or at least a series of articles for the New Yorker, on corporate pseudo-intellectualism. Most of these terms are combinations of words that are easy to spell and pronounce, or an ordinary word with a prefix or suffix, that people genuinely think will make them intelligent. (I think they think this because the magazine/newspaper article that they got the word from told them it would make them sound smart.) I’ve seen all the examples that have been given, though ‘whilst’ is a British English word that has naturally disappeared from American English, like the distinction between ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ or ‘among’ and ‘amongst’. Some others that annoy me: - The far-reaching overuse of the word ‘just’. As in ‘just to let you know’, ‘just a few minor layoffs’, as if the word will lessen the impact of what follows. - ‘Please let me know if you have any questions’, and similar phrases. Business emails aren’t real letters, so the traditional ‘Yours truly’, ‘Sincerely’ and so on have been replaced by ‘Thanks.’ Using ‘Thanks’ without a ‘please’ or ‘I would appreciate’ doesn’t make sense to me, so all my emails end with some form of ‘Please let me know if you have any questions’. So do everyone else’s. - Making up words by adding a suffix. I think people think these are brilliant new words that make you sound smarter. But real, lasting words are legitimately added to the language by literature and art, not on brainstormed lists in a boardroom. There is nothing about ‘deliverable’ or ‘actionable’ that can’t be expressed with another word. (Deliverable is particularly bad, because _-able_ forms adjectives, and it’s only in the business world that it forms nouns.) - Stupid catchphrases. ‘Touch base’ is my least favorite; it’s still in use despite being a favorite of my evil eighth-grade teacher ten years ago. Or ‘heads-up’, when ‘update’ would work. Some of these are euphemisms, like ‘action team’ instead of ‘committee’. - Power words. I’ve said a few already about ‘action’. If you use the word ‘action’, suddenly it’s like you’re abseiling from a helicopter into the secret lair of a ring of global computer thieves deep inside the Malaysian jungle instead of listening to a group of people just throwing out ideas they picked up from the magazine they were reading during their three-hour commute. I think I could go on, probably for some time. There are a lot of these words/phrases, and the number is increasing. Please do not hesitate to contribute to this discussion if you know of any other words. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Roches ---
**Author:** ![Z\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/41988e/32.png) [@Z\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Z_Al)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/19 "2004-02-02T01:49:46Z")
> [@Roches](#): > > … like the distinction between ‘toward’ and ‘towards’ or ‘among’ and ‘amongst’. Now that you’ve mentioned this, how do these terms differ? I know there is a difference, but I can’t imagine how interchanging them would have a big impact. Examples are always helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954/20 "2004-02-02T03:38:44Z")
> [@Cillasi](#): > > “At this time” sounds a bit more polite than “now.” “Now” has an essence of command. Indeed. But this totally misses my point. > [@Roches](#): > > - Making up words by adding a suffix. I think people think these are brilliant new words that make you sound smarter. But real, lasting words are legitimately added to the language by literature and art, not on brainstormed lists in a boardroom. Read some basic information on where words come from and you will find that this is utter tosh. Real words are just made up by people, often by changing existing words. Type “etymology” into Google and start reading. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-before-a-tale-of-a-changing-language/226954.md?page=2)