preceding departure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding departure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or action that occurs before someone leaves or departs from a place. Example: "We need to finalize all arrangements during the meeting preceding departure to ensure a smooth transition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Group itineraries often institutionalize this advice by scheduling an afternoon of shopping on the day preceding departure.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We observed instances where aggression from a nestmate immediately preceded departure on 17 nests, but this was no more likely to occur on nests containing unrelated subordinates than other nests (χ2 (Yates' correction)  = −1.75, d.f.

Plosone

He told the Guardian his son had spun a series of lies in the months preceding his departure for Syria.

The Guardian

Of the negotiations preceding her departure, she said, "The best part of this is that I have gotten to speak with John every day for the last three weeks".

The New York Times

In the days and weeks preceding their departure, communication remains paramount.

Huffington Post

This storyline is largely introspective and deals with Urania's memories and her inner turmoil over the events preceding her departure from the Dominican Republic thirty-five yearlierrliearlier

Wikipedia

Aim to have your child well-rested before leaving for your trip, taking restorative naps, and sleeping well at night for the days preceding your departure.. Babies and children whose sleep tanks are full can adapt much easier to schedule changes and a little lost sleep here or there.

Huffington Post

In the months preceding our departure, a New York Times article on political violence in coastal Kenya precipitated anxious telephone calls to the State Department and the US embassy in Nairobi.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The men respond to the call-up to Vietnam and there is a daringly, brilliantly protracted "wedding" scene which precedes their departure for war – and of course it is a kind of funeral for their way of life.

The Guardian - Film

The New Yorker, December 7 , 1946P. 33 Talk story about spending Thanksgiving evening aboard the Queen Elizabeth, comparing the festivities which preceded her departure to the noisy and foolish ships' farewells of the twenties and thirties.

The New Yorker

Shkrum says she is thrilled to be in a position to shape changes following the Maidan protests that preceded the departure of Ukraine's former president, and, she hopes she can help to transform Ukraine from a kleptocracy into a law-governed state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preceding departure" to emphasize the immediate context or events directly connected to the act of leaving.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding departure" when you actually mean "following departure." "Preceding" indicates events before departure, whereas "following" indicates events after. Incorrect: "The team celebrated preceding their departure." Correct: "The team celebrated preceding their departure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding departure" functions as a prepositional modifier, specifying the timeframe or context leading up to an event or action, as demonstrated by the examples found by Ludwig. It indicates a temporal relationship, setting the stage for what is to come.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preceding departure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates the time or events leading up to a departure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. When writing, ensure you distinguish it from "following departure" and use it to establish a temporal context for actions or events. Using alternatives like "before departure" or "leading up to departure" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before departure

This alternative directly indicates a time frame prior to leaving, similar to the original phrase.

Leading up to departure

This alternative emphasizes the events that build up to the moment of departure.

Prior to leaving

A simpler way of saying before departure, suitable for less formal contexts.

In anticipation of departure

This focuses on the period where preparations or expectations are forming.

In advance of departure

Highlights the aspect of taking place ahead of the act of departing.

Pre-departure phase

This emphasizes a stage or period specifically designated before the departure.

In the run-up to departure

Focuses on the build-up and preparations before the act of leaving.

Preliminary to departure

This emphasizes actions or arrangements that must occur beforehand.

Ahead of the leaving

A less common construction that still conveys the timing before someone leaves.

Before the leave-taking

A more formal or literary way to express the time before departure.

FAQs

How can I use "preceding departure" in a sentence?

You can use "preceding departure" to describe events or actions that occur before someone leaves. For example, "The days "preceding departure" were filled with preparations."

What are some alternatives to "preceding departure"?

Alternatives include phrases like "before departure", "leading up to departure", or "prior to leaving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "preceding departure" or "before leaving"?

"Preceding departure" generally sounds more formal than "before leaving". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "preceding departure" and "following departure"?

"Preceding departure" refers to the period or events before someone leaves, while "following departure" refers to the time or events after someone has left.