preceding that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been mentioned or occurred before the current point in discussion. Example: "The report highlighted several key findings, and preceding that, it outlined the methodology used in the research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His prognostication — brazen, and as impudent as the man himself — was made in a documentary called "Trader," which was filmed in the year preceding that day.

The New York Times

In the few months preceding that decision, the stock halved to $10, despite a buyback at prices ranging from $22 to $25.

The New York Times

The week starts on Mondays, but stories published on Sunday refer to the following week as "this week" and the six days preceding that Sunday as "last week".

The Guardian

Preceding that objective, however, is his aim to get the Crew into the M.L.S. playoffs and win over his new supporters along the way.

The New York Times

Preceding that stretch, and maybe setting it on its course, is a solo interlude by Mr. Bisio, played with a bow.

The New York Times - Arts

Murray won a 17-shot rally, and Federer exclaimed that his opponent had been "lucky," preceding that word with a choice adverb.

The New York Times

These cows were used to compare differences between the 6 h before and after the first standing event (estrus) and the 2 wk preceding that period (nonestrus) for all technology parameters.

Journal of Dairy Science

Campbell described his conversations with a source, preceding that piece's publication.

TechCrunch

For the second 16-week period, proximal baseline data (ie, data immediately preceding that period) were used, rather than actual study baseline.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In the week preceding that show, Stoney got a signal that he should quit.

Los Angeles Times

To determine use of a particular drug at the index date, we searched the pharmacy data for the prescription immediately preceding that date.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preceding that" to clearly establish a chronological order when describing events or processes, especially in technical or formal writing.

Common error

Ensure that "that" has a clear and immediate reference. Avoid using "preceding that" if the antecedent is ambiguous or too far removed in the text, as this can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding that" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial phrase to indicate the temporal order of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase helps to establish a clear sequence in narratives or explanations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding that" serves as a valuable tool for establishing chronological order across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, primarily functioning as a prepositional phrase that clarifies the sequence of events. While "preceding that" is frequently seen in scientific and news media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. Alternative phrases such as "prior to that" or "before that" offer similar meanings, allowing for stylistic variation. Ensure clarity in its usage by providing a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity and enhance the coherence of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to that

Replaces "preceding" with "prior", emphasizing a time before a specific event.

before that

A more straightforward and common way to express the same temporal relationship.

previous to that

Uses "previous" instead of "preceding", maintaining the meaning of something coming before.

leading up to that

Focuses on the events or period that immediately precede a specific event.

in advance of that

Emphasizes the act of doing something ahead of a particular time or event.

antecedent to that

A more formal way to indicate something that comes before in time or order.

preliminary to that

Highlights the preparatory nature of something that comes before.

dating back to that

Indicates something originated at a specific time in the past.

in the run-up to that

Focuses on the period of preparation or anticipation before a major event.

on the heels of that

Indicates something happening immediately before, closely following in time.

FAQs

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

Use "preceding that" to refer to something that happened or was mentioned earlier. For example, "The experiment was conducted twice; "preceding that", a pilot study was performed".

What's a simpler alternative to "preceding that"?

A simpler alternative is "before that". It conveys the same meaning in a less formal way.

Is there a difference between "prior to that" and "preceding that"?

While both "prior to that" and "preceding that" indicate something happened earlier, "prior to that" might sound slightly more formal. The choice depends on the tone of your writing.

Can "preceding that" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "preceding that" can start a sentence to connect it to the previous statement. For example, "The data was analyzed. "Preceding that", the samples were carefully collected".