by preceding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by preceding" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that comes before another element, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The results were influenced by preceding studies that highlighted similar trends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Chailly allows you to hear Berio's completion in context by preceding it with Puccini's final scene for Liu.

The New York Times - Arts

A number of his top appointees, including Mr. Amadou, were persecuted by preceding authoritarian governments here.

The New York Times

These responses are modified by the insect's internal state, which has been affected by preceding stimuli.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We also find evidence that responses to the later question are influenced by preceding questions on social capital.

Journal of Comparative Economics

She audaciously tests her audience's patience, quite a bit, by preceding one sex scene with an extended dialogue about the Austrian author Ingeborg Bachmann.

The Guardian - Film

Blair "fatally compromised his own preference for constructing a UN-blessed route to war, by preceding it all with the bald vow that Washington could count on him".

The Guardian

Less conspicuously but more radically, Mr. Muti stripped off the verismo varnish applied by preceding generations, revealing an undreamed-of bel canto refinement.

The New York Times - Arts

She said Muslim Australians had now arrived at the same "crossroads moment" faced by preceding waves of immigrants, including her own antecedents, Italians.

The Guardian

Each of these painters, though they may have used poses and figural arrangements from ancient sculptures and vase paintings, was strongly influenced by preceding stylistic trends.

Britannica

In particular, the N400 components are enlarged to words that are semantically unrelated to or incongruous with the context provided by preceding items in a sentence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The aim of this study was to evaluate how soil structure and root-length densities of annual crops can be influenced by preceding crops.

Soil and Tillage Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events or influences, replace the phrase "by preceding" with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "by prior" or "by earlier" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Don't use "by preceding" when a clearer alternative like "because of the previous" or "due to earlier" would improve the sentence's readability and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by preceding" functions as a prepositional modifier, attempting to indicate causation or influence from a prior event or element. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it often lacks clarity and grammatical precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Unknown

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by preceding" aims to link a current event or state to a prior influence. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is frequently used but grammatically questionable. With a wide range of contexts—from Science to News—usage is high, this high frequency does not equate to proper usage, instead calls for greater care in word choice. It’s best practice to use clearer alternatives such as "by prior" or "by earlier" to guarantee clarity and grammatical correctness. Always opt for more precise language to enhance the readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by prior

Replaces "preceding" with "prior", offering a more concise and grammatically sound alternative.

by earlier

Substitutes "preceding" with "earlier", providing a simpler and more direct expression of sequence.

by what came before

Emphasizes the sequential relationship more explicitly, replacing "preceding" with a descriptive phrase.

by the foregoing

Uses "foregoing" as a more formal synonym for "preceding", suitable for academic or legal contexts.

based on the previous

Shifts the focus to the foundation provided by the earlier element, replacing "by preceding" with a phrase indicating dependence.

owing to what preceded

A more formal and literary alternative that emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between events.

due to the prior

Uses "prior" in conjunction with "due to" to clearly indicate causation stemming from a previous event.

by virtue of the antecedent

Employs "antecedent" for a more technical and precise reference to the preceding element.

as a result of the former

Highlights the consequence of a previous action or event, replacing "by preceding" with a causal phrase.

influenced by the earlier

Focuses on the impact of a prior occurrence, substituting "preceding" with a term emphasizing influence.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "by preceding" in a sentence?

Instead of "by preceding", you can use phrases like "by prior", "by earlier", or "due to the previous" to convey a clearer meaning.

Is "by preceding" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "by preceding" is often considered grammatically awkward. Opt for more direct alternatives to improve clarity and correctness.

How can I use "by prior" or "by earlier" instead of "by preceding"?

Consider the sentence structure. For example, instead of "the results were influenced by preceding studies", use "the results were influenced by prior studies" or "the results were influenced by earlier studies".

What's the difference between "by preceding" and "by following"?

"By preceding" refers to something that comes before, while "by following" refers to something that comes after. They are opposite in meaning and denote different positions in a sequence.