preceding me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that comes before the speaker in time, order, or position. Example: "The events preceding me were crucial in shaping the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Time points were pooled into three epochs: pre ME data was obtained by averaging measurements taken over the six days preceding ME, early post ME consists of measurements taken over the two weeks following ME, and late post ME time point consists of measurements taken in the third week after ME.

Plosone

What's important are not the details but the pronoun placement, she preceding me.

The New York Times

I was made very aware that it was important to follow in the footsteps of the troops preceding me.

Independent

The format had my colleagues on the panel, Dalia Mogahed of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies and Joan Wallach Scott of Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, preceding me.

The New Yorker

I am a fourth generation Bruin, with twelve men and women preceding me as graduates from this university.

Huffington Post

Between those six people immediately preceding me in the bloodline are zero college degrees, no political power and very little money.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Approximately 75% of patients with stable disease or better had more durable disease control on ME-344 than on the treatment regimen immediately preceding ME-344.

Cancer

Three women preceded me off the streetcar at L Street.

The New Yorker

He precedes me, really, the man that I've become, the actor that I've become.

The Guardian - Film

I'd come out here to work for a magazine, but my reputation had preceded me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My reputation as an inclusive governor preceded me here in this campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing; "before me" may be more appropriate in informal contexts, while "prior to me" suits formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding me" when you actually mean "following me". Ensure the event or person mentioned truly comes before you in time or sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding me" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating something that comes before the speaker in time, order, or position. Ludwig provides examples showing it used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preceding me" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote something or someone that comes before the speaker in time, order, or position. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans different contexts, from news and media to scientific writing, though it tends to lean towards a neutral to formal tone. When choosing alternatives like "before me" or "prior to me", consider the level of formality required for your specific writing. Remember that correct use depends on accurately representing the sequence or order you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before me

Indicates something or someone was ahead in sequence or time.

ahead of me

Similar to "before me", emphasizing position or progress.

prior to me

Formal alternative indicating something happened earlier.

that came before me

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the sequence.

who came before me

Refers to individuals who held a position or existed earlier.

in front of me

Focuses on physical positioning or order in a line or sequence.

that happened before I did

Highlights a previous action or event.

earlier than my turn

Emphasizes a sequence with turns or planned order.

antedating my involvement

Formal term indicating something occurred before one's involvement.

existing before my time

Highlights existence prior to the speaker's presence.

FAQs

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

Use "preceding me" to indicate something or someone that comes before you in a sequence, order, or time. For example: "The events "preceding me" were crucial in understanding the current situation."

What are some alternatives to "preceding me"?

You can use alternatives such as "before me", "prior to me", or "ahead of me", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "before me" or "preceding me"?

Both "before me" and "preceding me" are correct, but "preceding me" is generally more formal. "Before me" is suitable for informal contexts, while "preceding me" is better for formal writing.

What does "preceding me" imply about the order of events?

"Preceding me" implies that the events, actions, or people referred to occurred or existed before your own involvement or appearance in a particular situation or sequence.