preface

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'preface' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce, or preface, a subject before you discuss it. For example, "In this essay, I will preface my argument by discussing the history of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our generation has the opportunity to stop imagining and wondering and start building the better Scotland we all know is possible," he declared in the preface to the document.

The Guardian

Ebert was conflicted – it offended him to preface his article with such a warning, not least because the NSFW label was, as he put it, an "unsightly typographical offence", but mostly because it "would contradict the point I was making", namely that he was opposed to American puritanism, preferring Europe's supposed festive nudearama.

The Guardian

The two successive top-lick curves on the course – where Senna and the day before, in a grim prophetic preface, Roland Ratzenberger died – have been significantly slowed by lower-gear chicanes and gravel traps.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, the nearest we have to a solution is "you lot", but it's difficult to use without sounding as if you're about to punch the recipients in the face and it only really works if you preface it with an "oi".

The Guardian

The colourful preface features a delightful cameo appearance by Helen Mann, of The Economist, and a description of a bored Ned Johnson, boss of the huge Fidelity mutual fund firm, floating wine glasses in the lighted pool in the middle of New York's Four Seasons restaurant.

The Economist

The preface to the MCC's laws of cricket states:"The basic Laws of Cricket have stood remarkably well the test of well over 250 years of playing the game.

The Economist

They saw the evil of their own time "not as throwback but preface".

The Economist

The only thing that is now hopelessly out of date is the list of the City's acceptable drinking holes.In a short preface Mr Kynaston says that his intention was to demythologise the City which had thought of itself as a village in which a man's word was his bond and discipline was administered by a nod and a wink from the governor of the Bank of England.

The Economist

His book is all preface and no body.Then there is his otherworldliness.

The Economist

Medicines shipped from Europe were either useless or unavailable in sufficient quantities, Rumphius complained in the preface, so using local remedies made much more sense.

The Economist

Rummy begins ladling out rationalizations in the preface.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preface" in academic writing, ensure that it provides a clear context or sets the stage for the main argument or analysis. Avoid using it merely as filler.

Common error

Avoid using "preface" simply to sound formal. Ensure that the introductory section genuinely adds context, background, or sets the tone for what follows. If it's redundant, it's better to omit it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preface" is to serve as an introduction or preliminary statement. It sets the stage for the main content that follows, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preface" is a versatile term used to introduce or provide context to a piece of writing or speech. As Ludwig AI highlights, it functions both as a noun and a verb, commonly appearing in news, science, and formal business contexts. While generally correct, overusing it without adding value should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "introduction" or "foreword" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

introduction

Focuses on generally introducing a topic or work.

foreword

Specifically refers to an introductory section in a book, often written by someone other than the author.

preamble

Implies a formal introduction, often to a legal document or speech.

prologue

Often used in literature or drama to introduce the main story.

preliminary remarks

A more general term for initial comments or statements.

introductory statement

Directly indicates a statement that introduces a subject.

opening remarks

Suggests the beginning of a speech or presentation.

preceding comments

Highlights comments that come before the main content.

initial thoughts

Emphasizes the beginning stages of thinking about a topic.

prior discussion

Focuses on discussion that has already taken place before the current point.

FAQs

How to use "preface" in a sentence?

You can use "preface" as a noun to refer to an introductory section of a book or document, or as a verb to introduce something. For example, "The book included a brief preface by a leading expert" or "Let me preface this by saying I don't know him well".

What can I say instead of "preface"?

You can use alternatives like "introduction", "foreword", or "preamble" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "preface" or "pre-face"?

"Preface" is the correct spelling. "Pre-face" with a hyphen is not standard usage.

What's the difference between "preface" and "introduction"?

While both "preface" and "introduction" serve to introduce a topic, a "preface" often includes personal remarks or context from the author, whereas an introduction more directly presents the scope and purpose of the work.