posteriority

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "posteriority" is correct and usable in written English.
It means the state of being posterior or following after something else. For example, "The posteriority of his opinion was clear to all of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Instead, the matter is prior to the composite since it has the property priority with respect to the composite, whereas the composite is posterior to its matter since it has the property posteriority with respect to its matter.

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Against his master, he argued with the Aristotelians for the priority of being (existence) over essence (form), which he called an abstraction; and, with Ibn al-ʿArabī, he argued for the "unity of being" within which beings differ only according to "priority and posteriority," "perfection and imperfection," and "strength and weakness".

Encyclopedia Britannica

But this won't be pleasant: "Every posteriority," Drucker writes, "is somebody else's top priority".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

H.A. Wolfson has presented evidence for Aristotle's recognition of a type of term intermediate between equivocal and univocal terms, some instances of which were characterized by their use according to priority and posteriority.

SEP

For being is said in a prior sense of God and in a posterior sense of creatures by virtue of a certain relation between the two; likewise, being is said first of substance and secondarily of accidents, on account of the relation of posteriority accidents have to substance.

SEP

Now despite being essentially the same, the matter is not characterized by posteriority, unlike the composite, and the composite is not characterized by priority, unlike the matter.

SEP

Hence the matter and composite are different in property; the properties priority and posteriority are unmixed they differ in property.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A good place to start, he advises – and this also applies to life outside work – is to ask: "If we didn't already do this, would we start now?" This means more than just learning to say no – the point about posteriorities is that you specify them, creating what Jim Collins, a Drucker disciple, calls a "stop-doing list".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anyone with too much work to do is already setting posteriorities, whether they mean to or not; a stop-doing list merely brings things into the open.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anteriority and posteriority which legitimate the idea of hierarchy are clearly Neo-Platonic but also evoke some of the divine names of the Islamic tradition (the First al-awwal and the anterior or pre-eternal : qadīm, mutaqaddim); the term "rich" (ġanī) is to be First al-awwal andNeo-Platheic texts anteriorhe Qurʾanic lexicor.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "posteriority" when precision is needed to describe a state of being subsequent or secondary, especially in philosophical or academic contexts. Be mindful of the audience, as the term is not widely used in everyday language.

Common error

Avoid using "posteriority" interchangeably with simpler terms like "subsequence" unless you specifically intend to emphasize a hierarchical relationship or a derived state rather than just a temporal order. "Subsequence" simply describes what is next, without necessarily including a rank or level of importance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "posteriority" is as a noun, denoting the state or condition of being posterior or subsequent. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a relationship where one thing follows or is derived from another. This is evident in the examples provided, where "posteriority" is used to describe relationships in philosophical and hierarchical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

Encyclopedias

29%

News & Media

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Posteriority" is a noun denoting the state of being subsequent or secondary, often used in philosophical and academic contexts to describe relationships of dependence. Ludwig AI highlights that the word is grammatically correct, but its uncommon usage suggests it's best reserved for situations where precision is needed. While simpler alternatives like "subsequence" exist, they may not fully capture the nuance of hierarchical dependence implied by "posteriority". Sources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and The Guardian demonstrate its usage in both specialized and broader contexts, though primarily within formal and scientific writing. When using "posteriority", be aware of your audience and ensure the context warrants its specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequence

Focuses on the order in which events or items follow each other.

later occurrence

Emphasizes the time aspect of something happening at a subsequent point.

secondary status

Highlights the lower rank or importance compared to something else.

subordinate position

Indicates a lower level in a hierarchy or system.

derived existence

Stresses that something's existence depends on a prior thing.

following nature

Highlights the trait of an element to come after something.

dependence

Emphasizes the concept of relying on a prior cause or condition.

resulting state

Draws focus on an outcome that is caused by a preceding action or state.

consequence

Indicates that something is a direct result or effect of something else.

succession

Highlights a sequence of elements or events where one follows another.

FAQs

How is "posteriority" typically used in academic writing?

"Posteriority" is often employed in philosophy and metaphysics to denote a relationship where one entity or concept is dependent on or derived from another. It signifies that the latter exists or is understood only in relation to the former.

What is the difference between "priority" and "posteriority"?

"Priority" refers to the state of being first or more important, while "posteriority" signifies the state of being later or secondary. They are antonyms that describe opposite ends of a temporal or hierarchical relationship.

Are there simpler alternatives to using "posteriority" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "subsequence", "later occurrence", or "secondary status" if the specific nuance of hierarchical dependence isn't crucial. However, those "secondary status" alternatives might not always fully capture the meaning.

Can "posteriority" be used in contexts outside of philosophy?

While most commonly found in philosophical discussions, "posteriority" can be used in any context where you need to precisely describe something as being subsequent and dependent on something else. However, consider your audience, as simpler terms may be more readily understood. For example the term "subsequence" could be a better alternative.