antedated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "antedated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is dated earlier than another event or document. Example: "The contract was antedated by several months, raising questions about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But history was antedated by the achievements of ancestors who created languages and religions and other primitive institutions.

Britannica

As to what the Lord Chancellor calls "the mere chance of damages," it should be noted that Lumley v. Wagner antedated by two years Baron Alderson's celebrated attempt to provide a rational basis for damage theory in Hadley v. Baxendale.

Harvard University

This is extremely unlikely to be the case because both classes of the aaRSs seem to be rather late arrivals in the evolution of the respective protein folds, their emergence being antedated by extensive protein evolution [1,2].

Biology Direct

c) Reviewer's comment: "…This is extremely unlikely to be the case because both classes of the aaRS seem to be rather late arrivals in the evolution of the respective protein folds, their emergence being antedated by extensive protein evolution [12,13].

Biology Direct

2. Determine whether this change is antedated by a winter to spring change in walking 3. Determine whether the winter to spring change in walking differs between men and women Post winter to summer change in glucose control will be assessed primarily in terms of change in A1C level, a continuous variable.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Our original goals were to estimate the post winter to summer change in glucose control (i.e. spring to fall A1C difference); determine whether this change is antedated by a winter to spring change in walking; and to determine whether the winter to spring change in walking differs between men and women.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The process of finding that first quotation is called "antedating" by lexicographers.

The Washington Post

There were also cards showing ballplayers who antedated us by decades, like John Honuss" Wagner and Walter "Big Train" Johnson.

Los Angeles Times

Because he could not disturb street traffic with a trench, he was forced to drive the tunnel by underground methods and invented a cylindrical tunneling shield, powered by hydraulic rams; this shield actually antedated that built by James Henry Greathead for the Tower Subway in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At one end of the spectrum, there are extreme academic views such as those of Jacques Halbronn, suggesting at great length and with great complexity that Nostradamus's Prophecies are antedated forgeries written by later hands with a political axe to grind.

Wikipedia

It often antedates diabetes by several years.

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "antedated by", ensure that both dates or events being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The discovery of penicillin antedated the widespread use of antibiotics by several years."

Common error

Avoid using "antedated by" when simply indicating a sequence; reserve it for instances where precise dating or chronological comparison is crucial. Use "preceded by" for general sequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "antedated by" functions as a prepositional phrase that establishes a temporal relationship between two events, indicating that one occurred earlier than the other. Ludwig examples show its use in academic, scientific, and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "antedated by" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred or existed earlier than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its proper usage. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is frequently found in science, academia, and news media. Use it in formal writing when comparing dates or timelines, but consider simpler alternatives like "preceded by" in informal contexts. Ensure clarity by defining the dates being compared. Remember to reserve "antedated by" for chronological comparisons, avoiding it in simple sequence indications. Keep in mind that the phrase "antedated by" is suitable for formal contexts that need to define dates and the chronological order of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Antedates

A shorter, verb form of the original phrase with the same core meaning.

Preceded by

Indicates a sequence where one event comes before another, focusing on order rather than specific dating.

Dated earlier than

Explicitly references a prior date, emphasizing the chronological difference.

Came before

A simpler, more general way to indicate precedence in time or order.

Was prior to

Highlights the state of being earlier in a more formal tone.

Existed before

Focuses on the existence of something at an earlier time.

Antecedent to

Emphasizes a causal relationship where the first event influences the second.

Foreran by

Implies that something acted as a sign or precursor.

Postdated by

Indicates a date later than expected or normal.

Was ahead of

Focuses on innovation or advancement occurring earlier than something else.

FAQs

How can I use "antedated by" in a sentence?

Use "antedated by" to indicate that an event or period occurred earlier than another. For example, "The invention of the printing press "antedated by" centuries the widespread use of computers."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "antedated by"?

Similar phrases include "preceded by", "dated earlier than", or "came before". Choose the one that best fits the context of your sentence.

Is it correct to use "antedated by" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "antedated by" is more suited for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "before" or "earlier than" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "antedated by" and "postdated by"?

"Antedated by" means something happened or was created earlier, whereas "postdated by" means it happened or was created later. For example, a check "postdated by" a week cannot be cashed until that week has passed.