be preceded by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be preceded by" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means that something comes before or happens before something else. You can use it to describe a sequence of events or actions. Example: The main course will be preceded by a salad.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Probably should be preceded by "if".

Cornell University

Probably should be preceded by "a".

Cornell University

Probably should be preceded by "the".

Cornell University

"But innovation must be preceded by theory".

The New York Times

The designation "(7)" probably should be preceded by "(a)".

Cornell University

Bicarbonate administration must be preceded by adequate alveolar ventilation.

Stanford University

The name would be preceded by Tennessee in all cases.

The New York Times - Sports

But does reconciliation really have to be preceded by atrocity?

The Guardian

It will be preceded by a single, he said.

The Guardian - Music

Such notice may or may not be preceded by verbal coaching.

Stanford University

The hand robotic training will be preceded by 20 min anodal 2mA tDCS or sham stimulation.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be preceded by" to clearly establish the order of events or actions, especially when the sequence is important for understanding or causality. For example: 'The ceremony will "be preceded by" a cocktail hour.'

Common error

Avoid using "be preceded by" in a context where a simple past tense would suffice. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of saying 'The meeting was "be preceded by" a workshop,' consider 'A workshop preceded the meeting'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be preceded by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating temporal sequence. It establishes that an event or action occurs before another, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

56%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be preceded by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates temporal sequence. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to establish the order of events, serving a crucial role in structuring information across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, this construction maintains a formal to neutral tone, making it appropriate for scenarios where clarity and order are paramount. It's important to use "be preceded by" when the sequence is important for understanding or causality and also to avoid incorrect tense usage. With the help of Ludwig's AI, you can confidently use "be preceded by" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come before

Uses a more common and less formal verb.

happen prior to

Emphasizes the temporal aspect with 'prior', but is less concise.

be preliminary to

Highlights the preparatory nature of the preceding event.

be antecedent to

A more academic and formal way of expressing that something comes before.

antedate

A more formal and less common verb indicating precedence in time.

lead up to

Suggests a causal relationship and preparation for a main event.

pave the way for

Indicates preparation or making something possible.

set the stage for

Suggests creating a scenario that allows something else to happen.

forego

Implies a conscious choice to happen before something else, often implying sacrifice.

pioneer

Focuses on innovation or being the first to do something, leading to subsequent developments.

FAQs

How can I use "be preceded by" in a sentence?

Use "be preceded by" to indicate that one event or action happens before another. For example: "The presentation will "be preceded by" a short introduction".

What are some alternatives to "be preceded by"?

You can use alternatives such as "come before", "happen prior to", or "antedate" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "be preceded by" or "precede"?

"Be preceded by" is a passive construction, while "precede" is active. "Be preceded by" is used when the focus is on the event that comes later, while "precede" is used when the focus is on the event that comes first. For example, "The concert will "be preceded by" an opening act" (passive) versus "An opening act will "precede" the concert" (active).

What's the difference between "be preceded by" and "follow"?

"Be preceded by" indicates that something happens before something else, while "follow" indicates that something happens after. They describe the same sequence from opposite perspectives. For example, 'The appetizer will "be preceded by" soup' is the same as saying 'Soup will "follow" the appetizer'.