Put sb before sb Meaning & Examples | How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Put sb before sb” Mean?

“Put sb before sb” means to prioritize one person over another, giving more importance to someone’s needs or feelings.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “Put sb before sb” is commonly used when talking about priorities in relationships or situations. It means to treat one person as more important than another, often by considering their needs or feelings first. Understanding the “Put sb before sb meaning” helps you express ideas about loyalty, care, or preference clearly in English. This phrase is useful in both personal and professional contexts and can help you communicate your values and priorities effectively.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Put sb before sb (put somebody before somebody)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To prioritize one person over another

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Put sb before sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, so the object (sb) always stays between “put” and “before.” The general pattern is:

• Put + somebody + before + somebody

Examples:

• She puts her family before her work.
• They put their children before themselves.

How to Use Put sb before sb?

Use this phrasal verb when you want to show that one person is more important than another in terms of care, attention, or priority. It often expresses a value judgment or a choice between people’s needs. It is commonly used in personal relationships, such as family or friendships, but can also apply in work or social situations.

Examples

Here are some examples of “Put sb before sb in a sentence” to help you understand its use:

• He always puts his children before his own desires.
• In a good friendship, you sometimes need to put your friend before yourself.
• She put her career before her social life for many years.
• We should put the needs of our customers before our profits.
• They put their team before individual achievements.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the word order or try to separate the phrasal verb incorrectly. Here are some examples:

• Incorrect: Put before sb sb.
• Correct: Put sb before sb.
• Incorrect: Put sb before.
• Correct: Put sb before sb.

Remember, the object must come immediately after “put” and before “before.”

Differences / Synonyms

“Put sb before sb” is similar to phrases like “prioritize sb” or “value sb over sb.” However, “put sb before sb” is more informal and often used in everyday speech.

• Put sb before sb: Focuses on prioritizing people in relationships.
• Prioritize sb/sth: More formal, used for tasks or people.
• Value sb over sb: Emphasizes preference or importance.

Each phrase has a slightly different tone and context, so choose based on formality and meaning.

Common Collocations

When using “Put sb before sb,” some common objects include:

• Family: Putting family before friends shows loyalty.
• Work: Putting work before leisure means prioritizing job tasks.
• Friends: Putting friends before strangers shows trust.
• Self: Putting yourself before others can mean self-care or selfishness.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of put sb before sb:

• Put In For Sth
• Put Sth Together
• Put Sb Down For Sth
• Put Sth In For Sth
• Put Sth Up

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “put sb before sb”:

Anna: I think you should put your health before work sometimes.

John: You’re right. I’ve been putting my job before myself for too long.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence that uses “put sb before sb” properly:

• a) She puts her friends before herself.
• b) She puts before her friends herself.
• c) She puts herself before before friends.

Answer: a)

FAQ

• Q: Can “put sb before sb” be used in formal writing?

  A: It is more common in informal or spoken English but can be used in formal contexts with caution.

• Q: Is “put sb before sb” separable?

  A: No, it is inseparable; the object must stay between “put” and “before.”
• Q: Can it be used with things instead of people?

  A: It usually refers to people but can sometimes be used with abstract concepts like “put work before fun.”

• Q: What is the difference between “put sb before sb” and “prioritize sb”?

  A: “Put sb before sb” is more informal and emotional, while “prioritize sb” is more formal and task-focused.
• Q: How do I practice using “put sb before sb”?

  A: Try writing sentences about people or things you prioritize in your life.