preceding the change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding the change" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurred or existed before a specific change took place. Example: "The data collected preceding the change in policy will be crucial for our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Arousals were defined as "abrupt shifts in EEG frequency including alpha, theta and/or frequencies greater than 16 Hz (but not spindles) that lasted at least 3 15 s with at least 10 s of stable sleep preceding the change" [20].

Annals of Intensive Care

Patients with an index colonoscopy in the phase immediately preceding the change in guideline (October 2000 December 2001) had a significantly longer median (25th 75th centile) surveillance interval than patients with an index colonoscopy between June 1998 and October 2000: 29 (14 44) months versus 21 (12 39) months (p<0.001).

Gut

We observed that there was no difference in the adjusted decrease in mortality in the 3-year period preceding the change in guidelines and the 2-year period following this, both periods showing an 80% decrease in mortality (full results not shown).

BMC Public Health

We also repeated the analysis using LLI at a previous time point preceding the change in consumption, to assess effects of past health (e.g., for those who ceased consumption at age 42, 2 models were created one with changes in LLI at age 42 as the exposure, and another with changes in LLI at age 33 as the exposure).

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

29 The months preceding and following the intervention were represented by a five-level term: (1) the 2 months preceding the change (August September, 'pre-plain packs (PP)'); (2) the 2 months of 'phase-in' (October November); (3) the 2 months 'immediate post-PP' (December January); (4) '3–4 months post-PP' (February March); and (5) '5–6 months post-PP' (April-May).

BMJ Open

The 465 patients admitted to ICU in the 18 months following introduction of 24-h intensivist cover (Intensivist) were compared with the 387 patients admitted to ICU in the 18 months immediately preceding the change (Non-Specialist) in a historically controlled study.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

O'Neill said that complaints about some elementary schools starting too late preceded the change in bell times.

The Washington Post

The sales efforts precede the change in LME rules, but emerged just ahead of deadlines for the U.S. Federal Reserve to decide whether Wall Street should be allowed to own commodity trading assets.

Huffington Post

Even more important, we showed that the change in sugar availability preceded the change in diabetes (that's cause, not effect); and we showed directionality -- those countries where sugar availability rose showed increases in diabetes, while those where sugar availability fell showed decreases in diabetes.

HuffPost

In this case the authors argue that the change in mRNA stability precedes the change in RA.

Plosone

Specifically, in cases where migrating PGCs performed sharp turns, polarized filopodia formation preceded the change in migration direction.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preceding the change", ensure that the 'change' is clearly defined within the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "preceding the change in policy" rather than just "preceding the change".

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands what 'change' refers to. Always provide sufficient context. For instance, instead of stating 'outcomes preceding the change were different', clarify with 'outcomes preceding the change in management strategy were different'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding the change" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a temporal relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase specifies that something happened or existed before a particular alteration or modification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding the change" serves to establish a temporal context, indicating events or conditions that occurred before a specific alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. While it appears across various domains, it is most prevalent in scientific and formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the 'change' is clearly defined to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "before the change" or "prior to the change", but "preceding the change" adds a touch of formality suitable for academic and professional discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately before the change

This adds emphasis on the proximity in time to the change.

before the alteration

This alternative is shorter and uses a synonym for 'change'.

prior to the transformation

This uses a more formal synonym for 'change', indicating a significant shift.

ahead of the modification

This suggests something happening in anticipation of an adjustment.

leading up to the shift

This implies a process or period immediately before the change.

in anticipation of the transition

This is more formal and suggests a sense of expectation.

in advance of the adjustment

This highlights the preparatory nature of something done beforehand.

previous to the alteration

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "before".

antedating the modification

This is a more academic and less common alternative.

before the said change

A legalistic or formal way to refer to a specific change already mentioned.

FAQs

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

You can use "preceding the change" to describe events, conditions, or data that occurred or existed before a specific alteration. For example: "The data collected "preceding the change" in policy will be crucial for our analysis."

What are some alternatives to "preceding the change"?

Alternatives include "before the change", "prior to the change", or "leading up to the change", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "before the change" or "preceding the change"?

"Before the change" is simpler and more common in everyday language. "Preceding the change" is more formal and often used in academic or technical writing to emphasize the temporal sequence.

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

"Following the change" refers to what happens after an alteration, while "preceding the change" refers to what happens before it. They are opposite in meaning and denote different timeframes relative to the point of change.