before the meeting

Meaning

This phrase refers to the period of time prior to a scheduled gathering, discussion, or conference. It is commonly used in workplace environments to coordinate preparation, review documents, or grab a quick coffee before formal discussions begin.

Examples

• Please make sure you review the slides before the meeting.

  Please make sure you review the slides before the meeting.

• I need to grab a quick cup of coffee before the meeting starts.

  I need to grab a quick cup of coffee before the meeting starts.

• We should quickly discuss our strategy before the meeting.

  We should quickly discuss our strategy before the meeting.

• He printed out the financial reports about ten minutes before the meeting.

  He printed out the financial reports about ten minutes before the meeting.

• Can we talk for a minute before the meeting?

  Can we talk for a minute before the meeting?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will finish the report before of the meeting.

  ✓ I will finish the report before the meeting.

  'Before' is a preposition and does not require 'of' when followed directly by a noun phrase.

• ✗ Let's meet before the meeting begins.

  ✓ Let's catch up before the meeting.

  While grammatically correct, saying 'meet before the meeting' sounds repetitive. Using verbs like 'catch up', 'talk', or 'chat' sounds much more natural.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to print these handouts ___.

  💡 Prior to the scheduled gathering.

  Show answer

  before the meeting

• ___, I want to make sure everyone has a copy of the agenda.

  💡 Capitalize the first letter; ahead of the scheduled discussion.

  Show answer

  Before the meeting