Beforehand: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'beforehand' when referring to doing something prior to a specific time or event. It's more casual and commonly used in everyday speech.

• I should have called her beforehand to let her know I was running late.
• He prepared everything beforehand, so there were no last-minute surprises.

Use 'in advance' for formal contexts, especially when talking about payments, reservations, or notifications given prior to an event.

• You need to pay for your tickets in advance to secure your seats.
• Thank you for letting us know in advance about your unavailability.

Use 'previously' when referring to something that happened prior to the current point in time, often in formal or written contexts.

• I had previously worked at that company before joining my current job.
• The building was previously owned by a famous artist.

Use 'ahead of time' when emphasizing planning or action taken well before a deadline or event. It's suitable for both casual and formal contexts.

• To avoid any delays, please submit your application ahead of time.
• We finished the project ahead of time, which impressed our clients.