prior date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a date that comes before a specified date or event. Example: "Please submit your report by the end of the month, but ensure that any data from prior dates is included."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Napier worked on logarithms earlier than Bürgi and has the priority due to his prior date of publication in 1614.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Material adverse effect, or MAE for short, is a defined term, and the target typically makes a representation that, since some selected prior date, no MAE has occurred to the target.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Young teens without prior dating experience enjoyed dating even when they didn't like the boys they were dating.

BMC Nursing

The posterior distributions for the oldest points agree better with the prior dates than the youngest point of U6b1, indicating that the Bayesian estimates will readapt the priors according to the existing information in the tree.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Patients who agreed to participate were reminded about the appointment some days prior to date of interview.

BMC Health Services Research

Censored if affected with relevant cancer prior to date of referral and at RRS, relevant cancer diagnosis, or date of last follow up.

BMC Cancer

But Gwynne and I have a prior lunch date and so – entrusting my brew to the loving care of the lads in the brewery – we head into Conwy.

The Guardian - Travel

Baseline = 3 years prior to date of AHC participation.

BMC Health Services Research

Individuals with a prior index date were defined as previously diagnosed.

BMC Health Services Research

2. Record of one or more pertinent ICD-9CM diagnosis codes in the full year prior to date of deployment.

BMC Public Health

Data was collected over a 72 month period; 36 months prior to date of inclusion (pre-DOI) and 36 months post -date of inclusion (post-DOI).

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior date", ensure that the context clearly establishes the reference point against which the date is considered prior. For example, "All invoices with a "prior date" to January 1, 2024, will be audited."

Common error

Avoid using "prior date" when the context requires a specific tense. Instead of saying "The event was scheduled on a prior date", specify the actual date or use "previously scheduled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior date" functions as a noun phrase that typically modifies another noun. It serves to specify that something occurred or existed before a particular point in time. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior date" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate a date preceding a specific point in time. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears across diverse contexts like science, news, and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "earlier date" or "previous date" can be used interchangeably in many situations. When employing "prior date", clarity regarding the reference point is crucial to avoid ambiguity. It's important to ensure correct tense usage, as noted in writing guidance, to maintain precision and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier date

Replaces "prior" with "earlier", emphasizing the temporal precedence.

previous date

Substitutes "prior" with "previous", indicating a date that came before the current one.

preceding date

Replaces "prior" with "preceding", formally denoting a date that comes before in a sequence.

antecedent date

Uses "antecedent" instead of "prior" to indicate a date that logically precedes another.

initial date

Refers to the starting or first date in a series or process.

aforementioned date

Refers to a date previously mentioned or specified.

established date

Implies a date that has been officially set or recognized.

designated date

Refers to a date that has been specifically chosen or assigned.

specified date

Emphasizes that the date in question has been explicitly indicated.

appointed date

Indicates a date that has been formally arranged or scheduled.

FAQs

How can I use "prior date" in a sentence?

You can use "prior date" to refer to a time before a specific event or deadline. For example: "Ensure all data from "previous date" is included in the report."

What's a good alternative to "prior date"?

Alternatives include "earlier date", "previous date", or "preceding date", depending on the context.

Is "prior date" formal or informal?

"Prior date" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it adaptable across various writing styles. However, in some contexts a more specific term may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "prior date" and "previous date"?

The phrases "prior date" and "previous date" are largely interchangeable. "Prior" tends to be slightly more formal, but in most contexts, they convey the same meaning.