just prior

USAGE SUMMARY

"just prior" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means "immediately before" or "right before". You can use it whenever you want to indicate a specific moment or event that occurred directly before something else. Example: I had just finished my homework prior to going to bed. Here, "just prior" emphasizes that the person finished their homework immediately before going to bed. Other examples: - I received an email just prior to leaving the office. - The team had a meeting just prior to the game. - She was feeling nervous just prior to giving her presentation. - The restaurant closed just prior to our arrival.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Straighten the wrists just prior to impact.

The New York Times - Magazine

He reenlisted just prior to the Korean War.

The New York Times

These assignments will be available just prior to Registration Day.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This period of exposure represents the time just prior to puberty as well as puberty onset.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

Previous studies have examined only the administration of steroids just prior to surgery.

Hearing Research

Blood testing at bedside just prior to transfusion minimizes the risk of such upstream events.

Transfusion Clinique et Biologique

The days just prior to ovulation are the most crucial for emergency contraception (EC) efficacy.

Contraception

Super Aguri was thrown together in a matter of weeks just prior to the 2006 season.

The New York Times

Mix the rest of the ingredients together and sprinkle all over just prior to smoking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perry endorsed Gingrich prior to the debate and just prior to Gingrich's ex-wife's interview.

The Guardian - Opinion

Capsules were collected just prior to dehiscence.

Botanical Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity and precision are needed, especially in formal writing or technical documentation, choose "just prior" over more vague alternatives like "before".

Common error

While "just prior" is correct, overuse can make writing sound overly formal. In casual conversation or informal writing, consider alternatives like "right before" or "immediately before" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just prior" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a specific point in time immediately preceding an event. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is grammatical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

29%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just prior" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that means immediately before something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is appropriate for various contexts, including science, news, and academia, but should be used judiciously in very informal settings. To enhance writing, consider using synonyms like "immediately before" or "right before" for variety. Always ensure the context warrants the formality of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately before

Focuses on the temporal proximity, emphasizing the direct succession of events.

right before

Emphasizes the immediacy of the timing, suggesting very little time passed between the events.

shortly before

Indicates that the time difference is small, but allows for a slightly longer interval than "immediately before".

directly preceding

More formal, highlighting the sequential order of events with a direct link.

in the moments before

Emphasizes the specific time frame leading up to an event.

in anticipation of

Suggests a preparatory phase leading up to an event, focusing on expectation.

on the verge of

Implies imminence, suggesting the event is about to happen any moment.

leading up to

Highlights the process or events that precede the main event.

antecedent to

Formal and academic, emphasizing the causal relationship between two events where one precedes the other.

preceding

Simply denotes that one event happens before another, without emphasis on the timing.

FAQs

How can I use "just prior" in a sentence?

You can use "just prior" to indicate something happened immediately before something else. For example, "I finished the report "just prior" to the meeting".

What can I say instead of "just prior"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately before", "right before", or "shortly before" depending on the context.

Is "just prior to" more formal than "right before"?

Yes, "just prior to" is generally considered more formal than "right before". Use "just prior to" in professional or academic writing, and "right before" in more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "just prior" and "earlier"?

"Just prior" indicates something happened immediately before another event, while "earlier" simply means something happened at some unspecified time in the past. The phrase "just prior" specifies the timing more precisely.