in the lead-up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in the lead-up to' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the period immediately preceding a particular event or occurrence. For example, "We had an important meeting in the lead-up to the company's restructuring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the lead-up to the split in 2011, conflict broke out again in these areas.

The Guardian

Tinkering continued in the lead-up to the band's Sept. 13 gig in Indianapolis.

Los Angeles Times

In the lead-up to the summit.

The Guardian

It has built annually in the lead-up to 2014.

The Guardian

Stokes keeping things tight in the lead-up to lunch.

The Guardian - Sport

In the lead-up to his Yeezy Season 4 show, Kanye West ruffled some fashion feathers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the lead-up to the attack dissidents had targeted towns across Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

The world will be watching Ireland in the lead-up to May's referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, they ramped up government spending in the lead-up to an election.

The Economist

Obama's role in the lead-up to the sequestration crisis has deep roots.

The New York Times

Recently, in the lead-up to F8, Facebook leaked that payments were coming to Messenger.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the lead-up to" to clearly indicate a period of time directly preceding a specific event, especially when detailing preparations or build-up. For instance, "Security measures were heightened in the lead-up to the summit."

Common error

Avoid using "in the lead-up to" interchangeably with prepositions like 'during' or 'after'. This phrase specifically refers to the period before an event, not concurrent with or following it. Using it incorrectly can cause temporal ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the lead-up to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a time period preceding a specific event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the lead-up to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes the time preceding a specific event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides plentiful examples. It serves to set a temporal context and is appropriate for neutral to formal communication. When using the phrase, remember it refers to the period before the event and should not be confused with 'during' or 'after'. Related options include "leading up to", "prior to", and "before".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading up to

Slightly shorter and more concise, omitting the 'in the' for a more direct phrasing.

in the run-up to

An alternate form, similar to 'running up to' but with a more established idiomatic feel.

running up to

Emphasizes a period of activity or build-up before an event.

in preparation for

Highlights the activities undertaken to get ready for something.

in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation or preparation for an event.

in advance of

Similar to 'before' but often implies planning or anticipation.

prior to

A more formal and concise way of saying before.

preceding

Emphasizes the temporal order of events, indicating what comes before.

before

A simple and direct synonym indicating temporal precedence.

on the verge of

Suggests an event is imminent or about to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "in the lead-up to" in a sentence?

Use "in the lead-up to" to describe events or preparations happening before a specific event. For example, "In the lead-up to the election, candidates intensified their campaigns."

What's a simpler way to say "in the lead-up to"?

You can use phrases like "leading up to", "prior to", or "before" as simpler alternatives depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in the lead-up to" and "in anticipation of"?

"In the lead-up to" focuses on the time period preceding an event, while "in anticipation of" emphasizes the expectation or preparation for the event itself. They are similar but have slightly different nuances.

What is the difference between "in the run-up to" and "in the lead-up to"?

The phrases "in the run-up to" and "in the lead-up to" are essentially interchangeable. Both refer to the period immediately before an event, with no practical difference in meaning or usage.