preceding this event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding this event" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past event that happened before another event. For example, "The power outage lasted for two hours preceding this event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bottom-water temperatures were generally warm, 12 to 15 °C (54 to 59 °F), during the time preceding this event.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For patients who had died these data were ascertained for the 6 months preceding this event.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Preceding this event, outbreaks had been reported on a regular seasonal basis in southern Europe, mainly the Mediterranean region involving several serotypes namely BTV -1, -2, -4, -6, -9 and -16 [ 1].

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Scientists analyzing ancient soil samples now say a previous burst of the greenhouse gas preceded this event, known as the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), and probably triggered it.

Science Magazine

The thing people forget is the political environment that preceded this event.

Huffington Post

The gains in preparedness we observed may also be attributed to increased activity associated with the 2009 influenza pandemic although there is evidence that some improvements preceded this event.

BMC Health Services Research

On the Internet Archive you can listen to the chilling moments that preceded this devastating event and gain a disturbing perspective into one of the most controversial and horrifying events in human history.

Huffington Post

It was proposed that Nrf1 is later cleaved by the proteasome to yield lower molecular weight soluble species, but appearance of active Nrf1 precedes this cleavage event.

eLife

Arrows represent the string of events: preceding event to succeeding event.

FASEB Journal

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

The New York Times

Patients with a cardiac arrest or unplanned intensive care admission show gradual decline in clinical condition preceding the event.

Resuscitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For a more formal tone, use the synonym "prior to this event".

Common error

Avoid confusing "preceding", which means 'coming before', with "proceeding", which means 'continuing'. The spelling difference is small, but the meanings are very different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding this event" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, establishing a temporal relationship by indicating that something occurred before a specific event. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding this event" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that establishes a temporal relationship. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to provide context and chronological order. While typically neutral to formal, synonyms like "prior to this occurrence" may elevate formality. Remember to differentiate it from "proceeding". Overall, understanding its function and context ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prior to this occurrence

Replaces "event" with "occurrence" and uses "prior to" instead of "preceding", indicating a formal tone.

Before this incident

Substitutes "event" with "incident", suggesting a more specific and possibly negative connotation.

Leading up to this event

Focuses on the build-up or period immediately before the event.

In advance of this event

Emphasizes preparation or anticipation before the event.

Antecedent to this event

Presents a more formal and technical alternative, emphasizing a causal link.

Preliminary to this event

Highlights that something serves as an introduction or preparation for the event.

That which came before this event

Offers a more descriptive and slightly less concise alternative.

The time before this event

Focuses on the period preceding the event rather than a specific occurrence.

Earlier than this event

Provides a simple and direct alternative, focusing on the comparative timing.

What happened before this event

Frames the phrase as a question or inquiry about prior occurrences.

FAQs

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

You can use "preceding this event" to indicate something happened before a specific occurrence, for instance, "The economic downturn preceding this event led to widespread job losses."

What are some alternatives to "preceding this event"?

Some alternatives include "prior to this occurrence", "before this incident", or "leading up to this event".

Is "preceding this event" formal or informal?

"Preceding this event" is generally considered neutral to formal. You can use it in academic, professional, and news contexts.

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

"Preceding this event" indicates something that happened before, while "following this event" indicates something that happened after. They are opposite in meaning.