predated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "predated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something occurred or existed before a specific date or event. Example: "The manuscript was found to have predated the publication date by several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The house fire, too, predated Carole's birth.

The Guardian

"If you're on the perimeter, you're more likely to be predated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Never mind that Labour's decline in Scotland long predated Mr Murphy and was all but irreversible, in Mr McCluskey's view, Mr Murphy had kept Mr Miliband out of Downing Street.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their British identity was, in part, predicated on a notion of whiteness – the origins of which predated Powell – that was being threatened by post-second world war changes, domestic and international, economic and ideological.

The Guardian

Star Trek communicators predated mobile phones by a good 20 years, while bionic limbs, video calling, touchscreen technology and CCTV were all predicted with eerie accuracy in the Mystic Meggian annals of sci-fi.

The Guardian - Film

It was the loss of the iPod that stung me more; it predated my iPhone and held more precious photos, as well as being a useful way to ignore other people on the Tube.

The Guardian - Opinion

He shows convincingly, for instance, that European price rises in the 16th century predated the inflow of gold from the Americas.

The Economist

Doubts about Citi's sprawling business model and disparate internal cultures predated the credit crunch: the bank's shares performed anaemically throughout Mr Prince's tenure.

The Economist

Of the victories he made, perhaps the most vital predated his spell as captain, when he scored 103 in India's first series defeat of England at Madras, in 1962, and the long colonial hangover was banished from the cricket field.He kept his princely temperament.

The Economist

(Individual e-readers may wrap EPUB with encryption for digital rights management, DRM for short, to prevent use on competing devices or outside of a specific purchaser's account).Amazon's Kindle predated wide use of EPUB, and MOBI was its homegrown solution.

The Economist

Procter & Gamble, the American multinational that makes Ariel, pointed out that the soap predated Mr Sharon's tenure in office (it was launched in 1967, when he was still Major-General Sharon), and that the logo represented an atom, not a religious symbol.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "predated", ensure that the timeline is clear and the relationship between the two events or entities is well-defined. For example, "The invention of the printing press predated the widespread use of computers" clarifies the chronological order.

Common error

Avoid using "predated" when the events are simultaneous or overlapping. "Predated" implies a clear sequence where one event finishes before the other begins. For example, it's incorrect to say 'His arrival predated the ongoing meeting' if he arrived while the meeting was already in progress.

Linguistic Context

The word "predated" functions as a verb, specifically the past tense form of "predate". It is used to indicate that something occurred or existed at an earlier time than something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it establishing temporal order between events or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "predated" is a verb used to indicate that something occurred or existed earlier than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, serving to establish a clear chronological order. When using "predated", ensure the timeline is clear to avoid confusion. Alternatives include "preceded" and "came before". Be mindful to not use it in contexts where events are simultaneous. Given its widespread presence in authoritative sources, "predated" is a reliable and effective term for expressing temporal precedence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

antedated

Similar to "predated" but might carry a slightly more formal or technical connotation.

preceded

A more common and versatile synonym, suitable for many contexts where "predated" is used.

came before

A simpler, more direct way of expressing that something occurred earlier.

existed prior to

Emphasizes the existence of something before a specific time or event.

was earlier than

A straightforward comparison of timing, indicating that one thing happened before another.

dated back to

Focuses on establishing a point in the past when something originated.

was established before

Highlights the creation or establishment of something at an earlier time.

originated before

Emphasizes the origin of something happening earlier in time.

has origins in

Suggests that something evolved from something earlier in time.

was the forerunner of

Implies that something was an ancestor or predecessor of something else.

FAQs

How is "predated" used in a sentence?

The word "predated" indicates that something occurred or existed earlier in time than something else. For instance, "The Roman Empire "predated" the formation of the European Union" shows that the Roman Empire existed before the European Union.

What are some alternatives to using "predated"?

You can use alternatives like "preceded", "came before", or "antedated" depending on the specific context and level of formality you require.

What is the difference between "predated" and "postdated"?

"Predated" means something happened or existed earlier in time, while "postdated" means something is dated later than when it actually occurred. For example, a check can be "postdated" to a future date.

Is it correct to say something "predates to" a certain year?

No, the correct usage is "predates" or "predated". For example, "The artifact predates the 18th century" or "The artifact "predated" the invention of the printing press" are correct. The phrase "predates to" is grammatically incorrect.