prior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that occurred before a certain point in time or before another event. Example: "Prior to the meeting, please review the agenda and prepare your notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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The Guardian

Prior to joining the Guardian, Katharine worked at the Sunday Times in London.

The Guardian

But as with work done prior to the Scottish referendum, we will disclose the details of such work at the appropriate time.

The Guardian - Business

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The Guardian

XKeyscore An NSA program that allows analysts to search vast databases of emails, online chats and browsing histories of millions of individuals, with no prior authorisation.

The Guardian

Email: [email protected] Todd Moore studio developer Prior to joining Guardian Australia, Todd has worked at Blue State Digital (Obama's digital team) in the US, unit9 in London, Soap Creative in Sydney and Ogilvy.

The Guardian

That would mean prior restraint, a concept that is anathema in America and other parts of the world, in which the state can effectively prevent a publisher from publishing, and I didn't want to get into that position.

The Guardian

A tiny minority of Muslim scholars have recently suggested a prior Muslim presence in the Americas, although no pre-Columbian ruin of an Islamic structure has ever been found.

The Guardian

My brother had described to me an event from his own trip several years prior.

The Guardian - Books

Gisby had been due to receive a bonus of up to £371,000, but Network Rail said he would be leaving in February without any additional payment beyond that stipulated in his contract, in a deal agreed prior to the Christmas travel problems.

The Guardian

"I've found [the program] extremely helpful because I've never had any prior work experience.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior", ensure that the context clearly establishes what it is "prior" to. For example, "prior to the meeting" is more specific than just "prior".

Common error

Avoid using "prior" in very informal contexts; simpler alternatives like "before" or "earlier" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "prior" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something that comes before in time, order, or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "prior" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "prior" is a versatile term used primarily as an adjective to denote something preceding another in time or order. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in formal and professional contexts such as news and business, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "previous" or "earlier" exist, "prior" maintains a unique emphasis on temporal precedence. Pay attention to use "prior to" and use this term in formal environments to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous

Indicates something that came before, similar to "prior" but can sometimes imply a closer or more direct connection to the present.

preceding

Formally denotes something that comes before in order or time, often used in more technical or legal contexts.

former

Implies something that existed in the past but no longer does, often used for roles or positions.

antecedent

Refers to something that precedes, particularly in terms of cause and effect or logical sequence.

in advance

Similar to "beforehand", stressing the action of doing something ahead of a specific event or time.

earlier

A more general term indicating something happened at an earlier time, without necessarily specifying a direct relationship.

ahead of

Highlights the position in time before something else, often implying being prepared or ready.

beforehand

Indicates something done in advance or ahead of time, emphasizing preparation.

ex

A shorter, more informal way to say "former", typically used for relationships or positions.

pre-

Used as a prefix to indicate something that comes before, like "pre-war" or "pre-existing".

FAQs

How can I use "prior" in a sentence?

Use "prior" to indicate that something happened or existed before something else. For example, "prior experience is often required for this job" or "prior to the event, please confirm your attendance".

What words can I use instead of "prior"?

Alternatives to "prior" include "previous", "former", "earlier", and "preceding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "prior than"?

No, the correct phrasing is "prior to". "Prior" is typically followed by "to" when indicating a time relationship.

What's the difference between "prior" and "previous"?

"Prior" and "previous" are often interchangeable, but "prior" can sometimes imply a greater distance in time or importance, while "previous" might suggest a more direct connection to the present.