as a prelude to

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a prelude to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing something as leading up to a different, often more important or relevant, thing. For example: "We spent the morning talking about the project, as a prelude to actually beginning the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dialogue as a prelude to action.

Stanford University

Said as a prelude to destroying them.

The New Yorker

They molt as a prelude to breeding (Boersma 1977).

Cornell University

One partner may see this as a prelude to marriage.

The Economist

Orders often serve as a prelude to investment.

The Economist

Goetz interpreted the inquiry as a prelude to a mugging.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hopefully as a prelude to re-energizing and renewal.

The New York Times - Tech

Honours degrees were intended as a prelude to research.

The Guardian

This gamesmanship is meant as a prelude to hospitality?

The New York Times - Magazine

It is particularly useful as a prelude to an overview presentation on effective negotiation.

Harvard University

Du Bois's ideas about race as a prelude to thinking about cosmopolitanism.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a prelude to" to clearly signal that an action or event is setting the stage for something more significant to follow. This helps create anticipation and context for your reader.

Common error

While "as a prelude to" is generally appropriate, avoid using it excessively in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "before" or "leading up to" would be more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a prelude to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action or event serves as an introduction or preparation for something else. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to signify anticipation or preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a prelude to" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something serves as an introduction or preparation for a subsequent event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is versatile, remember to consider the context and choose simpler alternatives in informal settings. Related phrases like "leading up to" or "in preparation for" can also convey similar meanings. Ensure clarity and appropriateness when using "as a prelude to" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an introduction to

Focuses more on providing initial context or familiarizing the audience with the subject.

as a preparation for

Emphasizes the act of making ready or getting equipped for something.

in anticipation of

Highlights the expectation or looking forward to a future event.

leading up to

Suggests a gradual progression or sequence of events before the main occurrence.

as a warm-up for

Implies a less formal or rigorous preparation, similar to exercise or performance.

to pave the way for

Indicates actions taken to make future developments or progress easier.

as a foundation for

Highlights building a strong starting point on which something is built.

in advance of

Focuses on the timing, simply indicating something done earlier.

by way of introduction to

Emphasizes the role of something in presenting or familiarizing a subject.

as a precursor to

Highlights the something as a sign or indicator of something to come.

FAQs

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

Use "as a prelude to" to indicate that something is happening in advance of something else, often to prepare for it or introduce it. For example, "The meeting served as a prelude to the upcoming negotiations."

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

You can use alternatives like "leading up to", "in preparation for", or "before" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as a prelude to" formal or informal?

"As a prelude to" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What's the difference between "as a prelude to" and "in advance of"?

"As a prelude to" implies a sense of preparation or introduction, whereas "in advance of" simply indicates that something happens earlier in time, without necessarily implying a connection or preparation.