preceding this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize or clarify a point or action that occurred before another point or action. For example: "The forecast of heavy rains preceding this event led to the postponement of the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

See Codification note preceding this section.

Cornell University

"It's another negative event with two others preceding this.

The New York Times

Describing smokers' variables preceding this stage is essential.

Preventive Medicine

And it has been seven other times in the nine years preceding this one.

The New York Times - Sports

Preceding this troupe was a half-hour show by Max Pollak and RumbaTap.

The New York Times - Arts

"On the couple of days preceding this, I was working 18 or 19 hours.

The Guardian

In the week preceding this meeting, I hadn't gotten a hit in two games.

The New York Times

Corbyn chose to drop the words immediately preceding this quote: "I am an agitator".

The Guardian

For further details, see Prior Law note set out preceding this section.

Cornell University

There are several other lines of error traceback preceding this one in the apache error log.

Stanford University

The sections immediately following and preceding this encounter say more about American and Scottish culture than volumes of bland pontification.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preceding this" to clearly establish a chronological sequence, ensuring the reader understands which event or item came first. It is particularly useful in academic writing, reports, and instructions where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding this" when you actually mean "following this". Double-check the context to ensure you're accurately representing the sequence of events. Confusing the order can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding this" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause by indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that something happened or existed before the point being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding this" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to establish a clear chronological sequence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely employed across various contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific writing. While considered neutral to formal in register, it serves the important function of specifying that something happened or existed before a given point. Related phrases include "before this" and "prior to this". When employing this phrase, ensure accurate representation of the temporal sequence to avoid misleading your audience. Ludwig's analysis indicates that "preceding this" is a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before this

Simple substitution of "preceding" with "before", slightly less formal.

prior to this

"Prior to" replaces "preceding" maintaining formality and similar meaning.

previous to this

Using "previous" offers a direct and easily understandable alternative.

earlier than this

Simpler and more direct phrasing focusing on the timing.

immediately before this

Emphasizes the close proximity in time or sequence.

leading up to this

This suggests a process or series of events that culminate in "this".

in advance of this

This emphasizes the preparatory aspect of what comes before.

antecedent to this

A more formal and academic term for something that comes before.

that came before this

This is a more descriptive and less formal way of saying "preceding this".

up until this point

This phrase refers to all events or conditions that existed before the current one.

FAQs

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

Use "preceding this" to indicate something that occurred or existed before a specific point or event. For example, "The economic downturn "preceding this" recovery was severe."

What are some alternatives to "preceding this"?

You can use alternatives such as "before this", "prior to this", or "leading up to this" depending on the context.

Is "preceding this" formal or informal?

"Preceding this" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Less formal alternatives include "before this" or "earlier than this".

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

"Preceding this" indicates something that comes before a specific point, while "following this" indicates something that comes after it. They are opposites in terms of temporal sequence.