What Does “Bring sb before sth” Mean?
“Bring sb before sth” means to take or cause someone to appear in front of a person, group, or authority, often for questioning or judgment.
Introduction
The phrase “bring sb before sth” is commonly used in formal or legal contexts. It usually involves presenting someone before a court, judge, or authority for examination or judgment. Understanding the bring sb before sth meaning helps learners use it correctly, especially when discussing legal or official situations. This phrase is essential for describing actions where a person is made to appear in front of an official body or authority for a specific purpose.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: bring sb before sth (bring somebody before something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2–C1
- Short meaning: To make someone appear in front of an authority or group, often for judgment or questioning.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Bring sb before sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, meaning you cannot place the object between “bring” and “before.”
Pattern: bring + somebody + before + something
Example: The police brought the suspect before the judge.
How to Use “Bring sb before sth”?
Use this phrase when you want to say that someone is being taken or presented in front of an authority or a group for examination or judgment. It is often used in legal, formal, or official contexts.
For example, you can talk about bringing a witness before a court or bringing a defendant before a judge.
Examples
- The accused was brought before the court yesterday.
- They brought the witness before the panel to give her testimony.
- The company brought the employee before the board to explain his actions.
- Bring sb before sth in a sentence: The officer brought the suspect before the magistrate.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Bring before the judge him.
Correct: Bring him before the judge. - Incorrect: Bring sb after sth.
Correct: Bring sb before sth (the correct preposition is “before” in this phrase). - Incorrect: Bring sb before.
Correct: Bring sb before sth (always include what or who they are brought before).
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “take sb to sth” or “present sb to sth,” but they differ slightly:
- Take sb to sth: General movement, less formal.
- Present sb to sth: More formal, often for introduction.
- Bring sb before sth: Specifically about making someone appear in front of an authority for judgment or questioning.
Common Collocations
- bring a suspect before a court
- bring a witness before a panel
- bring a defendant before a judge
- bring an accused before a tribunal
- bring a prisoner before the magistrate
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of bring sb before sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Officer: We have brought the suspect before the judge as requested.
Judge: Thank you. We will review the case carefully.
Lawyer: When will the witness be brought before the court?
Officer: She will be brought before the court tomorrow morning.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase:
The lawyer _______ the defendant _______ the court for questioning.
- a) brought / before
- b) bringed / before
- c) brings / after
- d) brought / after
FAQs
- Q1: Can “bring sb before sth” be used in informal situations?
A1: It is mostly used in formal or legal contexts, not common in casual conversations.
- Q2: Is “bring sb before sth” separable?
A2: No, it is inseparable. The object must come immediately after “bring.”
- Q3: What does “sth” stand for?
A3: “sth” means “something,” often used as a placeholder in grammar explanations.
- Q4: Can I say “bring sb after sth”?
A4: No, the correct preposition is “before” in this phrase.
- Q5: What is a synonym for “bring sb before sth”?
A5: “Present sb to sth” can be a synonym but is less specific to legal contexts.
