preceding the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that comes before another thing in time, order, or position. Example: "The results of the experiment were influenced by the conditions preceding the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tells about the winter tour preceding the Masters tournament.

The New Yorker

The summer preceding the Iranian revolution, we had holidayed there.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in the days preceding the Olympics, things changed.

The New York Times - Sports

Plant diseases are known from times preceding the earliest writings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It remembers only the days immediately preceding the medium-length days, and ignores any older stimuli.

The New York Times - Science

Concerts, exhibitions, parties, performances and rallies fill the days preceding the parade on February 6.

The Guardian - Travel

That change reflected an unusual degree of drama preceding the announcement.

The New York Times

It opened last February, preceding the Columbus Circle outpost by nine months.

The New York Times

The Arab world found Kuwait's defiant behavior toward Iraq in the months preceding the crisis incomprehensible.

The New Yorker

In the years immediately preceding the earthquake Haiti's education system barely functioned.

The Guardian

"Anger was much more common in the period preceding the arrhythmias than in the control group".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preceding the" when you want to clearly indicate that one event or item occurs before another in a sequence or timeline.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding the" in overly complex sentences where a simpler alternative like "before the" would suffice for clarity. Choose the most direct language possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding the" functions as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a noun or noun phrase to specify the time, event, or item that something else comes before. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding the" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate that something comes before something else in time or sequence. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence is particularly noticeable in News & Media and Scientific contexts, while it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it is a valuable tool for establishing temporal relationships, writers should remember to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the

A more straightforward and common way to express something happening earlier in time.

prior to the

A slightly more formal alternative, often used in professional or academic contexts.

leading up to the

Implies a series of events or a process that culminates in the specified event.

in advance of the

Highlights the proactive nature of doing something earlier, often for preparation.

antecedent to the

A highly formal and less common way to describe something that chronologically precedes something else.

in the run-up to the

Specifically emphasizes the period of preparation and activity before a major event.

preparatory to the

Focuses on the actions taken in preparation for something else.

pre-dating the

Emphasizes that something existed or occurred before a specific point in time.

on the eve of the

Refers to the day or period immediately before a significant event.

introducing the

Implies a sequential presentation where one thing comes first to set up another.

FAQs

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

Use "preceding the" to indicate that something comes before something else in time, order, or rank. For example, "The events "leading up to" the revolution were marked by widespread unrest."

What can I say instead of "preceding the"?

You can use alternatives like "before the", "prior to the", or "leading up to the" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "preceding the" or "proceeding the"?

"Preceding the" is correct when indicating something that comes before. "Proceeding" refers to moving forward. Thus, "proceeding the" is not a grammatically correct construction.

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

"Preceding the" means coming before, while "following the" means coming after. They are opposite in meaning and denote different positions in a sequence or timeline.