Prior to that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Prior to that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or situation that occurred before a specific point in time or another event. Example: "Prior to that, we had conducted several meetings to discuss the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prior to that, the C.B.O.E.

The New York Times

Prior to that, daytime was quite static".

The Guardian

Prior to that, the running game was really struggling.

The New York Times

"Prior to that, the content was constant?" he asked.

The New Yorker

Prior to that a 5-foot-9 girl was tall.

The New York Times

Prior to that he had been editor of Men's Health.

The Guardian

Prior to that, a public high school teacher and veteran.

The New York Times

Prior to that he was a clinician in secondary care.

The Guardian

Prior to that, he edited the trade magazine Campaign.

The Guardian

Prior to that, Smith was working in a pub.

The Guardian - Music

"Prior to that he was doing fine," Ms. Sharp said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context is clear when using "Prior to that". Make sure the reader understands what "that" refers to in order to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by making sure that the "that" in "Prior to that" clearly refers to a specific event or time already mentioned. If the reference is unclear, rephrase to provide better context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Prior to that" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase used to indicate a temporal relationship. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently employed to connect events in a chronological order, providing context by referring back to a previously mentioned event or time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Prior to that" is a versatile phrase used to indicate temporal sequence, connecting events or situations chronologically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, it's also present in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "previously" or "before that time". Its high frequency and clear utility make it a valuable phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Earlier than that

Simple and direct, specifying a temporal difference.

Before that time

More formal and emphasizes the specific time frame.

The time before that

Neutral and general to indicate an earlier event.

Previously

A single-word adverb that directly indicates an earlier occurrence.

Preceding that

Highlights the order or sequence of events.

In the period before that

More descriptive and expands on the timeframe.

Leading up to that

Suggests a process or events that build towards a particular point.

Up until then

Implies a duration that extends to a particular moment.

In advance of that

Highlights preparation or anticipation of a future event.

Antedating that

More formal, academic and specific regarding the time difference.

FAQs

How can I use "Prior to that" in a sentence?

Use "Prior to that" to indicate something happened before a specific event or time. For example: "The company struggled. "Prior to that", it had been very successful."

What's a more formal way to say "Prior to that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "Before that time" or "Previously".

What can I say instead of "Prior to that" in an email?

In an email, depending on the context, you could use "earlier than that", or "beforehand". For example: "I finished the report. "Beforehand", I reviewed all the data."

Is "Prior to that" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "Prior to that" is suitable for academic writing, but ensure that the context is clearly defined. For a more formal tone, "Previously" or "Before that time" could also be used.