in advance of the

USAGE SUMMARY

"in advance of the" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happens before or prior to something else. Example: "We need to plan our trip carefully in advance of the conference next month." This means that the planning needs to be done before the conference takes place. Another example: "The company announced its new product in advance of the holiday shopping season." This means that the announcement was made before the holiday shopping season begins. The phrase can also be used in a negative sense, indicating that something did not happen before something else. Example: "The repairs were not completed in advance of the deadline, causing delays in the project." This means that the repairs were not finished before the deadline, which caused problems with the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

while living in advance of the millennium.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're in danger of theorizing in advance of the facts".

The New York Times - Books

A good theory should go in advance of the evidence.

The New York Times - Science

It had been scheduled in advance of the state's primary.

The Guardian

In advance of the debate, he stopped studying policy papers.

The New Yorker

Just a nose, in advance of the famous face.

The Guardian - Books

The district suspended any drilling in advance of the tests.

The New York Times

Communiqués are famously drafted in advance of the meetings.

The Economist

This was well in advance of the government bailouts.

The New York Times

Obtaining the questions in advance of the exam or test.

Columbia University

The United States was not notified in advance of the raids.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in advance of the" when you want to emphasize planning or preparation before an event. It adds a touch of formality suitable for business or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "before" or "prior to" in the same sentence as "in advance of the" to prevent redundancy. For example, instead of saying "Plan in advance of the meeting before it starts", simply say "Plan in advance of the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in advance of the" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that an action or event occurs prior to a particular time or event, suggesting preparation or anticipation. Ludwig provides numerous examples that confirm this use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in advance of the" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs before a specific time or event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to establish temporal order, often implying preparation or anticipation. While grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, it is particularly prevalent in news and media, academic, and scientific writing. When using "in advance of the", remember to avoid redundancy and consider simpler alternatives like "before the" in less formal settings. Ludwig's examples provide a rich resource for understanding its nuanced applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the

Indicates a time before something; slightly more formal.

before the

A simpler and more direct way of indicating precedence.

ahead of the

Suggests being further along or prepared before an event.

leading up to the

Implies a period of time preceding an event.

in anticipation of the

Highlights expecting and preparing for something.

preceding the

A formal term indicating something that comes before.

earlier than the

Focuses on the temporal aspect of something happening sooner.

in preparation for the

Emphasizes the actions taken before an event.

on the eve of the

Suggests something happening very close to the main event, just before it.

preliminary to the

Indicates something that serves as an introduction or preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "in advance of the" in a sentence?

Use "in advance of the" to indicate that something happens or is done before a specific event or time. For example, "Please submit your applications "prior to the" deadline" or "The company released the report "ahead of the" earnings call".

What are some alternatives to "in advance of the"?

You can use alternatives such as "before the", ""prior to the"", ""ahead of the"", or "leading up to the depending on the context".

Is there a difference between "in advance of the" and "before the"?

"In advance of the" is generally more formal and emphasizes preparation or planning. "Before the" is simpler and more direct. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

When is it appropriate to use "in advance of the" instead of "earlier than the"?

"In advance of the" is best used when referring to a scheduled event or specific point in time, implying preparation. "Earlier than the" simply refers to something happening at an earlier time and doesn't necessarily imply preparation or planning.