precursor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "precursor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has a close link to, or foreshadows, a later event or development. For example: "He was a precursor of the civil rights movement that followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It snowballed from there and that was the start of Button and Bean, the precursor to [sister brand] Between you & i.

The Guardian

The volunteers included the entire Clapton Orient side, who perhaps took inspiration from Hearts of Midlothian, whose squad had enlisted in a Scottish precursor, McCrae's Battalion, several months previously.

The Guardian - Sport

EDF had planned to sign a long-awaited funding agreement with its Chinese investment partners in March, thought to be key to settling procurement plans for the £24.5bn build, and the precursor to a final investment decision.

The Guardian

Related: Eric Pickles to receive a knighthood The architect of city deals and an advocate of giving more power to local councils, Clark's ideas were the precursor to the government's northern powerhouse strategy and could herald the beginning of a new relationship between social landlords and the government.

The Guardian

He's outstanding, a precursor of Graham Greene's Pinkie, a wicked boy with a blonde (or grey) streak in his hair.

The Guardian - Film

This, to some extent, is the direct precursor of that.

The Guardian - Arts

To the harassed pedestrian for whom he tinged bell has become a tense precursor to either an earful of abuse or near-death experience, the moron has become the norm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bartle and Trubshaw used this to link in to the University of Kent, and from there establish a connection with the US-led ARPAnet, an early precursor to today's global internet.

The Guardian - Tech

John Kasich Kasich has reportedly created New Day for America, a tax-exempt nonprofit – a precursor to the launch of the presidential exploratory committee that, one GOP source said, he will formally announce as soon as next week.

The Guardian

In 2009, when the Cork county goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack came out as gay, the novelist Colm Tóibín hailed him as "the first gay hurler since Cúchulainn", a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Iron Age mythological warrior-hero whose feats with stick and ball make him the precursor of today's hurlers.

The Guardian

The teams now move on to Barbados for a three-match T20 series as a precursor for their World T20 campaigns that follow in Bangladesh.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precursor" to highlight a direct link between an earlier event or development and its subsequent outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "precursor" when you mean "precedent". A "precursor" is something that comes before and influences what follows, while a "precedent" is an earlier event or action that's used as a guide for similar situations that occur later.

Linguistic Context

The word "precursor" functions primarily as a noun, denoting something or someone that precedes and indicates or influences what is to come. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "precursor" is a noun widely used to describe something that comes before and influences later developments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science, demonstrating its versatility. When using "precursor", ensure you're highlighting a direct link or influence, and avoid confusing it with similar words like "precedent". Alternatives include "forerunner" or "harbinger", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forerunner

Indicates something that precedes and paves the way for something else.

harbinger

Suggests something that signals or foreshadows a future event.

antecedent

Refers to something that precedes another thing, often causally.

predecessor

Highlights a previous version or entity that is succeeded by another.

herald

Implies something that announces or proclaims the coming of something else.

prototype

Focuses on an initial model or design that serves as a basis for later versions.

early example

Emphasizes that something is among the first of its kind.

leading indicator

Highlights something that predicts future trends or developments.

foundational element

Indicates a basic component upon which something is built.

causal factor

Points to a cause that contributes to a later effect or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "precursor" in a sentence?

You can use "precursor" to describe something that precedes and influences a later event or development. For example, "The printing press was a "precursor" to mass communication".

What's a good alternative to the word "precursor"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "forerunner", "harbinger", or "antecedent".

Is there a difference between "precursor" and "predecessor"?

"Precursor" implies a causal relationship or influence on what follows, while "predecessor" simply refers to something that came before in a sequence or position.

Can "precursor" refer to a person?

Yes, "precursor" can refer to a person who comes before and influences later individuals or movements. For example, "He was a "precursor" of the modern environmental movement".