no prior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no prior" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means "not existing or occurring before a certain point in time" and can be used in various contexts. Example 1: "The company requires all applicants to have at least two years of prior work experience." (In this context, "prior" is being used to refer to work experience before applying for the job) Example 2: "I have no prior experience with coding, but I am eager to learn." (Here, "prior" is being used to describe experience before the current moment) Example 3: "Please inform us if you have any prior commitments that may affect your availability for this event." (In this sentence, "prior" is being used to refer to commitments before the event).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No prior treatments were permitted.

British Journal of Cancer

No prior visitation.

The New York Times

"I had no prior knowledge".

The Guardian

"No announcement, no prior consultation".

The New York Times

No prior warning is given.

The Guardian

The officer had no prior shooting incidents.

The New York Times

"He's 52 with no prior record.

The New York Times

There should be no prior restraint.

The Guardian

And no prior appointment is needed!

The New York Times - Books

Details: No prior booking is necessary.

The Guardian - Travel

In America there is no prior restraint.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no prior" to clearly state the absence of previous experience, knowledge, or conditions, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in instructions, requirements, or descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "no prior" when you actually mean "limited prior". Be precise about the extent of experience or knowledge required or excluded. For example, instead of "no prior experience required", consider "minimal experience necessary" if some experience is acceptable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no prior" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the absence of something preceding the noun it modifies. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show it modifying terms like "experience", "knowledge", and "record".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "no prior" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival modifier that indicates the absence of previous conditions or experiences. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news articles and scientific publications, serving to clarify requirements, eligibility criteria, or state conditions. When writing with "no prior", ensure you are precise about what you mean, avoiding ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "without previous" or "lacking antecedent" to vary your language. While often interchangeable, ensure you pick the wording that best conveys your intended meaning. The phrase’s versatility and broad use make it a valuable part of one’s vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without previous

Focuses on the absence of something before, emphasizing the lack of preceding events or conditions.

absent any preceding

Highlights the lack of any event or action coming before the current one.

no former

Emphasizes the lack of a previous state or condition.

lacking antecedent

Stresses the absence of a preceding cause or event.

without earlier

Focuses on the absence of something earlier in time.

never before

Indicates that something has not happened at any point in the past.

no existing

Highlights that something doesn't exist before the specific moment.

unprecedented

Focuses on the novelty and originality of something, lacking any parallel in the past.

no record of

Indicates that there is no existing information or documentation of something.

first-time

Highlights the fact that something is happening or being done for the very first time.

FAQs

How can I use "no prior" in a sentence?

You can use "no prior" to indicate the absence of previous experience, knowledge, or conditions. For example, "no prior experience is necessary for this role" or "the patient had "no prior history" of the disease".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "no prior"?

Alternatives include "without previous", "absent any preceding", or "no former", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "no prior" or "without prior"?

Both "no prior" and "without prior" are grammatically correct, but "no prior" is more common and concise. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. For example, the phrase "without previous" history sounds more elegant but semantically maintains the meaning.

What does "no prior record" mean?

"No prior record" typically refers to the absence of a criminal record. It indicates that an individual has "no prior arrests" or convictions.