as a preliminary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a preliminary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done as an initial step or preparation before another action or event. Example: "As a preliminary to the main event, we will hold a brief introduction session for all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The brunch had been arranged as a preliminary to dedication ceremonies for the new library.

The New Yorker

Males in many species discharge urine on females as a preliminary to copulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Short-term pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of mecamylamine as a preliminary to carbon-11 labeling for nicotinic receptor investigation.

Nature

Iraq's defense minister, Hazim al-Shalaan, confirmed that the military operations were planned as a preliminary to tougher actions later.

The New York Times

Balanchine studied his scores intensively as a preliminary to composition and began dance creation only at the first rehearsal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Early in gestation, nuclear clustering and formation of protrusions (syncytial sprouts) also occurs as a preliminary to villous sprouting.

Placenta

Sir Leonard Dunning, Home Office inspector of Constabulary, has had long interviews with the local authorities as a preliminary to the inquiry.

The Guardian

During the October Revolution 19177), the Baltic Fleet cruiser Aurora bombarded the Winter Palace in the capital as a preliminary to the Bolshevik seizure of power.

Britannica

Detectives invoke arguido status on someone as a preliminary to an arrest being made or charges brought, a Portuguese law expert, Lita Gale, told Guardian Unlimited today.

The Guardian

As a preliminary to considering other contentions it will be helpful to refer to some features of the mineral land laws, Rev. Stat.

Cornell University

In the course of 1809, the name of the corps was changed to the 102nd Regiment of the Line as a preliminary to its recall to England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a preliminary to", ensure the subsequent action or event is explicitly stated or clearly implied. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a preliminary to" when the supposed 'preliminary' action is actually a significant part of the main process. This can downplay its importance and confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a preliminary to" functions as a connector, specifically a prepositional phrase that introduces a subordinate clause. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase connects two actions, indicating that one action is performed in preparation for another. For instance, "As a preliminary to considering other contentions..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a preliminary to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action serves as a preparatory step for something else. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this connector is grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia. While "before" and other alternatives exist, "as a preliminary to" explicitly conveys the intended facilitation of a subsequent event. The phrase is more common in formal writing, adding a layer of deliberate planning to any context, and the provided examples offer additional clarity on its applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an initial step for

This alternative emphasizes the starting point of a process, highlighting the sequential nature of the action.

in preparation for

Focuses on readiness and anticipation of a subsequent event.

as a prelude to

Suggests a more formal and ceremonial introduction.

leading up to

Highlights the progression and build-up towards a main event.

prior to

A more concise and formal way of indicating something comes before.

in anticipation of

Emphasizes the expectation and proactive preparation.

as groundwork for

Highlights the foundational aspect of the initial action.

to lay the foundation for

This phrase directly conveys establishing a base for later actions.

by way of introduction to

Used to introduce a topic, idea or event.

to pave the way for

Suggests removing obstacles or making future actions easier.

FAQs

How can I use "as a preliminary to" in a sentence?

Use "as a preliminary to" to indicate that an action is being done in preparation for something else. For example, "As a preliminary to the meeting, I sent out an agenda".

What are some alternatives to "as a preliminary to"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to", "in preparation for", or "leading up to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as a preliminary to" and "before"?

"As a preliminary to" implies a more deliberate and planned sequence of actions, while "before" simply indicates a temporal order. Using "as a preliminary to" highlights that the first action is intended to facilitate the second.

When is it appropriate to use "as a preliminary to"?

It's appropriate to use "as a preliminary to" when you want to emphasize that one action is a necessary precursor or preparation for a subsequent action or event. Avoid it if the actions are merely sequential without a strong causal link.