precede

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "precede" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that comes before something else in time or order. Example sentence: The introduction preceded the main section of the presentation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To precede the section concerned with the wholly disarming George, the 21st-century 15-year-old, Wood made an image of a CCTV camera.

The Guardian - Books

Downton, in his now defunct role, would have given the final sign-off for these two warm-up games which precede the three-Test series against West Indies.

The Guardian - Sport

Steven Osborne Birmingham Conservatoire, Wed Beethoven's Op 119 Bagatelles and Waldstein Sonata precede a selection of Rachmaninov's Preludes.

The Guardian

THE delightful (though small) plates of tapas that often accompany an evening drink in Spain can, if eaten with gusto, end up replacing the meal they were meant to precede.

The Economist

In the process he grew close to his opposite number, Abu Ala (Ahmed Qurei), and became expert in the quirks, quibbles and humour that precede a crucial decision.

The Economist

The ZEW tends to precede changes in economic activity by around six months.Japan's economy is technically back in recession.

The Economist

But today, in contrast to the 1950s, marriage is bound up with another bourgeois institution: property.In China mortgages often precede marriages.

The Economist

Ditching Ms Yingluck, a main demand of opposition parties calling for reform to precede the election, might oblige those parties to take part.

The Economist

On current policies, the six years of small fiscal surpluses (well below 1% of GDP) between 2002 and 2007 will precede a period of sizeable deficits.

The Economist

But things being as they are, the miscellany of dismal fatwas and communiqués that precede and follow al-Qaeda's attacks provide useful clues, both about future targets and about how the terrorists intend to mobilise wider Muslim opinion behind their cause.One recent trend is that al-Qaeda is pushing Palestine up its list of priorities.

The Economist

Albania has started negotiating an SAA but is also much too poor and messy for fast-track expectations.Bosnia is now the area's laggard, though it has nearly completed an EU "feasibility study" that must precede SAA talks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precede", ensure the chronological order is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Careful planning should precede execution" leaves no doubt about the intended sequence.

Common error

Avoid using "precede" when you mean "succeed". "Succeed" means to come after, whereas "precede" means to come before. Check your sentence's meaning to ensure you're using the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precede" is as a verb, indicating an action of coming before something else in time, order, or rank. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precede" functions as a verb to indicate something coming before in time, order, or importance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It is commonly found in neutral registers such as news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "precede", ensure clarity in sequence and avoid confusion with "succeed". Alternatives include "come before" and "antedate", which offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come before

Emphasizes temporal sequence, indicating something happens earlier.

antedate

Focuses on establishing an earlier date or time.

forerun

Suggests an event or action that acts as a signal or precursor.

pave the way for

Indicates that something creates the conditions for a subsequent event.

go ahead of

Highlights the act of moving or progressing in advance.

herald

Implies an announcement or indication of something important to follow.

introduce

Focuses on the act of bringing something forward or presenting it initially.

lead up to

Suggests a gradual progression towards a culminating event.

be a precursor to

Highlights the role of something as an antecedent cause or indicator.

set the stage for

Emphasizes the preparation or arrangement for a later event.

FAQs

How do I use "precede" in a sentence?

Use "precede" to indicate that something comes before something else in time, order, or importance. For example, "The appetizer will precede the main course" or "A detailed investigation must "precede any accusations"".

What are some alternatives to "precede"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "come before", "antedate", or "lead up to". Each alternative has slightly different connotations and suits different situations.

Is "precede by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "precede by" is grammatically correct. It means to be before something else. For example, "The concert was preceded by a short film".

What is the difference between "precede" and "succeed"?

"Precede" means to come before in time or order, while "succeed" means to come after. They are antonyms. For example, "The economic boom preceded the recession," but "The recession succeeded the boom".