What Does “Put sb before sth” Mean?
The phrasal verb “put sb before sth” means to give more importance or priority to a person than to a thing or task. It shows valuing someone over something else.
Introduction
The phrase Put sb before sth meaning is about prioritizing people above objects, tasks, or other interests. It is commonly used when talking about relationships, family, or work-life balance. For example, if you put your family before work, you make sure your family’s needs come first. This phrasal verb helps express care, love, and values in everyday conversations. Understanding how to use it correctly will improve your English and make your speech sound natural and clear.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: put somebody before something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: to prioritize a person over a thing
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Put sb before sth” is inseparable. You cannot separate the object (sb) and the preposition (before).
Pattern:
- Subject + put + somebody + before + something
- Example: She puts her children before her career.
How to Use Put sb before sth?
Use “put sb before sth” when you want to show that a person is more important than a task, object, or idea. It is often used in personal and professional contexts to talk about priorities. This phrase is useful when discussing decisions and values.
Examples
Here are some examples to see how to use Put sb before sth in a sentence naturally:
- He always puts his friends before his own interests.
- During the holidays, I put my family before work to enjoy time together.
- Good leaders put their team’s needs before their own.
- She decided to put her health before her busy schedule.
- Parents often put their children before everything else.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes, learners confuse the order or use the wrong preposition. Here is a common mistake and the correct form:
- Incorrect: She puts before her family work.
- Correct: She puts her family before work.
Remember, the person (sb) must come immediately after “put” and “before” must connect the person and the thing.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Value sb over sth: Slightly more formal, means prioritizing someone.
- Choose sb over sth: Focuses on making a choice rather than general priority.
- Put sth aside: Means to temporarily ignore something, not exactly the same.
“Put sb before sth” is best for expressing ongoing priorities rather than one-time decisions.
Common Collocations
People often use “put sb before sth” with these objects:
- Family: Prioritizing family members
- Work: Choosing people over job tasks
- Friends: Valuing friends more than other interests
- Career: Putting personal relationships before professional goals
- Health: Choosing well-being over other activities
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of put sb before sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrase:
Anna: I noticed you didn’t come to the meeting yesterday. Is everything okay?
Mark: Yes, I had to put my daughter before work. She was sick.
Anna: That’s important. Family always comes first.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
She always _________ her children _________ her job.
- a) puts before
- b) puts her children before
- c) puts before her children
Answer: b) puts her children before
FAQ
- Q: Can “put sb before sth” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is “put sb before sth” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; you cannot split the phrase. - Q: Can I use “put sb before sth” to talk about animals?
A: Yes, if you prioritize an animal over something else, it is correct. - Q: What is the opposite of “put sb before sth”?
A: “Put sth before sb,” meaning you prioritize things over people. - Q: Is “put sb before sth” common in everyday English?
A: Yes, it is often used in conversations about priorities and values.
