more prior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more prior" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a comparison of time or precedence. Example: "We need to address the more prior issues before moving on to the later ones."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The more prior implementation experience the better.

Stanford University

W. C. Handy published three or four blues, maybe more, prior to 1920.

The New Yorker

The method provides a more accurate solution because it incorporates more prior information than existing methods.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Women also reported more problems related to cocaine use and significantly more prior treatment episodes.

Journal of Substance Abuse

Three or more prior violent felony or serious drug offenses means a minimum of 15 years in prison without parole.

The New York Times

One-to-one randomization is stratified by site and by one or more prior lumbosacral operations.

Stanford University

The match between the expected and reference data worth can be improved by assimilating more prior data.

Journal of Hydrology

MAAEZ appeared especially effective for those with more prior AA exposure, severe psychiatric problems, and atheists/agnostics.

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Over recent years, there has been more prior restraint on freedom of speech in Britain than in any other democratic country in the world.

The Guardian

The transabdominal cerclage group had more prior failed cerclage procedures per patient (1.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.1 ± 0.3; P =.02) and more prior 14- to 24-week spontaneous abortions per patient (2.4 ± 1.3 vs 1.5 ± 1.0; P =.02) than the transvaginal cerclage group.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Cancellations made at least one month or more prior to the workshop are eligible to receive a refund, less your $75 non-refundable deposit.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "more prior" with single-word alternatives like "earlier" or "previous" for clearer and more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid using "more prior" because "prior" already implies a comparative relationship to the present or another point in time. Adding "more" creates an unnecessary redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more prior" functions as a modifier, attempting to specify precedence in time or order. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the word 'prior' already implies a preceding nature, making the addition of 'more' redundant and grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

29%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more prior" appears frequently in various sources, including academic and news outlets, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. Ludwig AI highlights this issue, suggesting that the word 'prior' already implies a comparative state. For clearer and more concise writing, it is recommended to replace "more prior" with alternatives such as "earlier" or "previous", depending on the context. Avoiding "more prior" enhances the precision and professionalism of your writing, especially in formal or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier

Replaces "more prior" with a single word indicating precedence in time.

previously

Indicates something happened before the current point in time.

beforehand

Highlights the action taken in advance of something else.

in advance

Emphasizes the preparatory nature of an action.

prior to that

Specifies that something happened before a specific event or time.

before then

Similar to "prior to that" but with a slightly less formal tone.

ahead of time

Implies preparation and anticipation of a future event.

at an earlier date

Formal way of indicating that something happened in the past.

in the past

General reference to something that occurred at any time before the present.

preceding

Indicates that something comes immediately before something else in a sequence.

FAQs

Is "more prior" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "more prior" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Prior" already implies something earlier in time, so adding "more" is redundant. It's best to use alternatives such as "earlier" or "previous".

When is it appropriate to use "more prior"?

While the phrase "more prior" appears in some contexts, it is rarely the best choice. It is generally preferable to use alternatives such as "earlier", "previously", or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "more prior" in academic writing?

In academic writing, it's best to avoid "more prior" and opt for more formal and precise language. Alternatives include "earlier", "previous", or "preceding" depending on the specific context.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "more prior" for better clarity?

Instead of saying "more prior", try using a single word like "earlier" or "previous". For example, instead of "address the more prior issues", say "address the "earlier" issues" or "address the "previous" issues".