Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
preceding grade
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "preceding grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the grade level that comes before the current one in an educational context. Example: "Students must demonstrate proficiency in the preceding grade before advancing to the next level."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(19)
last grade
final year
highest level
last academic year
year of graduation
year of completion
completion year
last year
final data
second year
second to last year
penultimate year
previous year
for a year left
one year remaining
year immediately before graduation
final year of studies
peak achievement
pinnacle of success
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Though the production rooms are only required to maintain for grade C cleanliness, the grade A aseptic filling still needs to be stationed in a grade B background which requires a preceding grade B gowning room.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
The use of items from two preceding grades was also justified by the diagnostic criteria for mathematical learning disorders, which state that the child must be at least two school years behind their peers in mathematical achievement to qualify for a diagnosis of dyscalculia (Haase et al. 2011).
To investigate this hypothesis, we collected data on two measures that should reflect student ability and preparation: incoming undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and final grade in the preceding course in the introductory biology sequence.
Science
Primary glioblastomas arise without a preceding low grade glioma, often show amplification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and murine double minute 2 (MDM2), along with inactivation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and p16 tumor suppressor genes.
One patient experienced treatment-related grade 3 renal failure due to dehydration (DLT) secondary to grade 3 nausea and grade 3 vomiting, one patient experienced grade 3 acute renal failure considered related to ixazomib, which was accompanied by grade 3 dehydration preceded by low grade anorexia and vomiting, and one patient experienced grade 4 septic shock considered unrelated to ixazomib.
Science
The total amount of Re predicted based on our experimental results can then be compared to the amounts calculated in the preceding section from grade and tonnage data.
Science
If grade 2 toxicity recurred, capecitabine treatment was withheld until the toxicity resolved to grade 0 1 and the capecitabine treatment was restarted at the preceding dose level.
Science
The inclusion of items pertaining to the preceding and following grades was used to confirm the difficulty of each item.
IDH-1 mutations are, in fact, now believed to be one the earliest events in the formation of low-grade gliomas preceding any mutation that may occur in the p53 gene (Watanabe et al, 2009).
Science
Respondents' school success at age 14 was measured by the pupil's own assessment of his or her position in class according to the average grade in the preceding end-of-term school report (good, better than average, lower than average, poor).
Science
Posterior planar grade was similar in eight patients who stopped the causative drug >48 h before gallium-67 scintigraphy (median Grade 3, IQR: 2 4) and in 12 patients who were still receiving the causative drug in the 48 h preceding gallium-67 scintigraphy (median Grade 2, IQR: 2 4) (P = 0.75).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing academic requirements or student progress, use "preceding grade" to clearly indicate the grade level that students have previously completed. For instance, when outlining prerequisites, specifying "successful completion of the preceding grade" helps avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "preceding grade" interchangeably with terms like "previous grade level" or "historical grade data" without considering the context. "Preceding grade" refers specifically to the grade immediately before the current one, not to a broader historical overview. If you need to describe a larger time frame or multiple prior grades, it's better to say “past grade levels”.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "preceding grade" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "grade". It specifies a particular grade level, typically in an educational context, indicating the grade that comes immediately before the current or specified grade. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a correct and usable phrase.
Frequent in
Science
63%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
17%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "preceding grade" is a grammatically correct term used to denote the grade level that immediately precedes another in an educational setting. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in writing. It commonly appears in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives such as "previous grade" or "prior grade". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the sequential relationship between grades and avoids confusion with broader historical contexts.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
previous grade
Replaces "preceding" with "previous", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.
prior grade
Uses "prior" instead of "preceding", implying a grade that came before the current one.
earlier grade level
Emphasizes the educational level that occurred earlier in the sequence.
grade before
A more concise way of expressing the grade that immediately precedes the current one.
antecedent grade
Uses "antecedent" to indicate the grade that comes before in order or time.
grade from the previous year
Specifies the grade level from the year before.
grade in the year before
A similar phrasing to "grade from the previous year", slightly more verbose.
immediately preceding grade
Adds emphasis by specifying that the grade is the one directly before.
penultimate grade
This refers to the second to last grade in a particular sequence considered.
foregoing grade
A more formal synonym for "preceding grade", indicating the grade that comes before.
FAQs
How do I use "preceding grade" in a sentence?
You can use "preceding grade" to refer to the grade level that comes before the current one in an educational context. For example, "Students must demonstrate proficiency in the "preceding grade" before advancing to the next level."
What can I say instead of "preceding grade"?
You can use alternatives like "previous grade", "prior grade", or "earlier grade level" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "preceding grade" or "following grade"?
"Preceding grade" refers to the grade that comes before, while "following grade" refers to the grade that comes after. The correct term depends on the context of your sentence.
What's the difference between "preceding grade" and "previous grade"?
While both ""preceding grade"" and "previous grade" are very similar, "preceding" implies a direct sequence or order, whereas "previous" is a more general term for something that came before. In most educational contexts, they are interchangeable.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested