What Does “Bring sth before sth” Mean?
“Bring sth before sth” means to present or introduce one thing prior to another, often for consideration or discussion.
Introduction
The phrase “Bring sth before sth” is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to indicate presenting an issue, idea, or object to a person or group before something else happens. The “sth” stands for “something,” meaning it can be any noun. Understanding the Bring sth before sth meaning helps learners use it appropriately when talking about meetings, decisions, or priorities. This phrase often appears in legal, business, and everyday conversations, making it a useful expression to know.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Bring something before something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To present or introduce one thing prior to another for consideration.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Bring sth before sth” is a transitive phrasal verb and is inseparable, meaning you cannot place the object between “bring” and “before.” The structure follows this pattern:
- Bring + something + before + something/someone
- Example: Bring the proposal before the committee.
Note: The phrase uses “before” as a preposition to indicate order or priority, so it cannot be separated.
How to Use “Bring sth before sth”?
This phrasal verb is mostly used when discussing the order of presenting ideas, cases, or documents. For example, in meetings, you might “bring a topic before the board” to discuss it first. It is also common in legal settings, where a case is “brought before a judge.” Using this phrase correctly shows you understand the sequence of events or priorities.
Examples
- They decided to bring the budget report before the annual meeting.
- The lawyer will bring the evidence before the court tomorrow.
- We need to bring this issue before the team before making a decision.
- She brought her concerns before the management during the meeting.
- The committee will bring the proposal before the council next week.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Bring before the committee the proposal.
Correct: Bring the proposal before the committee. - Incorrect: Bring the before report the meeting.
Correct: Bring the report before the meeting. - Incorrect: Bring it before after the discussion.
Correct: Bring it before the discussion.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “present sth to sth” or “submit sth to sth.” However, “bring sth before sth” emphasizes the order or priority of presentation, especially in formal settings. For example:
- “Bring the case before the court” (formal, legal)
- “Present the case to the court” (general presentation)
- “Submit the report to the manager” (formal submission, less about order)
Therefore, “bring sth before sth” specifically highlights the timing or sequence of presenting something.
Common Collocations
- Bring a case before the court
- Bring a proposal before the committee
- Bring an issue before the board
- Bring evidence before the judge
- Bring a motion before the council
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of bring sth before sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: We have several topics to discuss today. Which one should we bring before the team first?
John: Let’s bring the budget proposal before the team before anything else.
Anna: Good idea. After that, we can bring the new marketing plan before management.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
They decided to ______ the contract ______ the board for approval.
- a) bring / before
- b) bring / after
- c) bring / to
- d) bring / on
Answer: a) bring / before
FAQs
- Q: Can “bring sth before sth” be used in informal speech?
A: It is mostly formal but can be used informally when discussing priorities. - Q: Is “bring sth before sth” separable?
A: No, the phrase is inseparable; the object stays between “bring” and “before.” - Q: What is the difference between “bring before” and “present to”?
A: “Bring before” emphasizes order or priority, while “present to” focuses on giving or showing something. - Q: Can I use “bring sth before” for physical objects?
A: Usually, it refers to ideas, cases, or formal matters, not physical movement. - Q: What does “sth” mean in “bring sth before sth”?
A: “Sth” stands for “something,” a placeholder for any noun.
