preceding my arrival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding my arrival" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to events or situations that occurred before your arrival at a specific place or event. Example: "The meeting started at 10 AM, preceding my arrival at 10:15 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yes, on the advice of more senior women scientists at Bell Labs, I had my laboratory locked to prevent being a victim--apparently in the period preceding my arrival there had been acts of sabotage.

Chemistry Central Journal

Then I remember the 15 stages of hell preceding my arrival into this world.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I had heard of the struggles that preceded my arrival in New Haven — Scully's stand against the bungling excesses of "Urban Renewal" in that era, his role in the fight to stop the "Route 34 Extension" that threatened to displace thousands and fragment neighborhoods, and his support for the radical uprising of the City Planning Dept. in spring 1968.

Yale University

"It's always good to know that his success precedes my arrival, an indication that I am condemned to make my own mark and be successful.

BBC

l admit that my evening could have turned out differently had I personally not been so overwhelmed by the reputation that preceded my arrival.

Huffington Post

All of this had just preceded my arrival but the military had gotten a new constitution prepared and put in force.

Huffington Post

Preceding the arrival of the Franks, other Germans had already entered Gaul.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Barker might as well have made a documentary about the upkeep of the Empire State Building in the months preceding the arrival of King Kong.

The New Yorker

On Dec. 2, the special edition of Robert Wise's fine 1951 sci-fi film, "The Day the Earth Stood Still," touches down, preceding the arrival of the remake in theaters.

The New York Times

We present the 10 s of the recorded volumetric strain immediately preceding the arrival of seismic waves (Fig. 7 a).

Earth, Planets and Space

This method exploits the long period content of the broadband seismic record (200 sec- 1000 sec) preceding the arrival of the surface waves.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preceding my arrival" to clearly indicate that an event or condition existed before your presence at a specific location or during a specific time. It provides a formal and chronological context.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding my arrival" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "before I got here" or "before I came" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding my arrival" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a time frame before the speaker's arrival. Ludwig examples showcase its use in academic, news, and personal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preceding my arrival" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate events or conditions that occurred before someone's arrival. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct in written English and best suited for neutral to formal contexts. While alternatives like "before I arrived" offer simplicity, "preceding my arrival" emphasizes a specific period. Use it to provide chronological context, particularly in academic, news, or professional writing. The phrase is uncommon but understood and adds clarity when describing sequences of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before I came

This alternative is a more direct and simpler way of saying something happened before the speaker's arrival.

prior to my arrival

This alternative uses a more formal tone with "prior to" instead of "before".

before I got there

This alternative is a more colloquial and straightforward way of expressing the sequence of events.

in advance of my coming

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of coming.

in the time before my arrival

This alternative emphasizes the duration of time before the speaker's arrival.

leading up to my arrival

This alternative emphasizes the events that directly occurred before the speaker's arrival.

events before my arrival

This option focuses explicitly on the events.

in anticipation of my arrival

This alternative emphasizes that actions were taken with the knowledge or expectation of the speaker's impending arrival.

pre-arrival

This is a concise, almost clipped way of referring to the period before someone's arrival.

antecedent to my arrival

This is a highly formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "preceding my arrival" in a sentence?

You can use "preceding my arrival" to describe events or conditions that happened before you arrived at a place or event. For example: "The renovations were completed in the months "preceding my arrival"."

What's a more formal alternative to "preceding my arrival"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to my arrival". Both phrases indicate something happened before your presence, but "prior to" carries a more elevated tone.

What's a simpler way to say "preceding my arrival"?

Simpler ways to express the same idea include "before I arrived" or "before I got here". These options are suitable for informal contexts.

Is "preceding my arrival" always the best choice, or are there situations where I should use something else?

While grammatically correct, "preceding my arrival" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "before I came" or "before I arrived" in everyday conversation.