What are the definitions of “come before”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Appear in court charged with a crime or offence.
He CAME BEFORE the court on charges of speeding.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “come before”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb come before is to appear in court charged with a crime or offense. It means that someone has to go to court to face the charges against them.
What are the different verb forms of “come before”?
| Root Verb | come before |
| Third Person Singular Present | comes before |
| Present Participle | coming before |
| Simple Past | came before |
| Past Participle | come before |
Example
He will come before the judge next week.
Example
She comes before the court tomorrow.
Example
He is coming before the court on charges of theft.
Example
Last month, they came before the judge for a hearing.
Example
He has come before the court several times in the past.
What kind of phrasal verb is “come before”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“come before” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The defendant came before the judge.
Example
She came before the court on charges of fraud.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“come before” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The defendant came before the judge.
Example
She came before the court on charges of fraud.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “come before”?
Come before someone
To be presented to or considered by a person or group, such as a committee or authority.
Example
The proposal will come before the board for approval next week.
Come before something
To happen or exist earlier than something else.
Example
The invention of the telephone came before the invention of the internet.
Good things to know
Does “come before” have an informal or formal tone?
Come before is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In legal settings, it is often used to describe the process of appearing in court. In other contexts, it can be used to describe the order of events or the presentation of information.
