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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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prior later

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior later" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when or how to use it, as it seems contradictory and lacks context. Example: "The report should address the prior later developments in the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

With St. Ceolfrith, prior and later his successor at Wearmouth, Benedict went to Rome c. 678, returning with an instructor in ecclesiastical music.

Not only is it entirely possible to infer from our momentary impressions to prior and later events, but we are in fact always doing so.

News & Media

The New York Times

These crystals peaked prior to later eruptions at Mount St. Helens.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Systemic group MSCs accumulated early at the peri-implant mucosa, while local group MSCs were observed in various organs prior to later accumulation around the implant surface.

This study examined whether habit mediates the relationship between prior and later physical activity (PA), within the framework of the attitude-social influences-efficacy (ASE) model and the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

However, Alan Sepinwall, of the Star-Ledger, commented that although he finds Ward a "talented" actress, her character, along with prior, and later, recurring characters, was "humorless" and "determined to ruin the audience's fun right along with House's".

U 4. The submachine guns, which had been stolen years earlier from a former member of the B Specials, were linked to prior and later sectarian killings, whereas the Luger had been used to kill leading IRA member, John Francis Green, the previous January.

Second, habit should mediate the relationship between prior and later behavior.

Peromyscus abundance was measured as the minimum number known alive by summing the individuals caught in the session with those trapped at prior and later sessions.

A small fraction of bile acids are not absorbed by the small intestine and may undergo biochemical transformation prior to later absorption from the colon or elimination in faeces.

Science

Biochimie

A meta-analysis documented that 31.8% of the patients with false-positive PCR results had prior or later P. jirovecii pneumonia, suggesting these false-positive results should be regarded as true-positive results [ 86].

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "prior later" as it's grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, established meaning in standard English. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives such as "earlier and subsequent" or "previously and then" to accurately convey the intended sequence.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "prior later" thinking it emphasizes both past and future relevance. To avoid this, clearly define which event happened first and which followed. For instance, instead of "the prior later report", specify "the initial report and the subsequent analysis".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior later" attempts to function as a temporal indicator, suggesting a sequence involving something that happened before and its subsequent relevance. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct, making its function undefined in standard usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prior later" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It attempts to convey a sequence of events but combines contradictory terms, leading to ambiguity. Instead of using this phrase, it's best to opt for clearer alternatives like "earlier and subsequent" or "previously and then" to accurately express temporal relationships. Given its lack of established usage, "prior later" should be avoided in both formal and informal contexts to ensure clarity and effective communication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "prior later" to indicate a sequence of events?

Instead of "prior later", use alternatives such as "earlier and subsequent", "before and after", or "previously and then" to clearly express the order of events.

Is "prior later" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "prior later" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. It combines contradictory terms, making the intended meaning unclear. It's better to use clearer and more precise language to describe temporal relationships.

What does "prior later" attempt to convey?

The phrase seems to attempt to describe something that happened both in the past ("prior") and has relevance or consequences in the future ("later"). However, it's better to use clearer wording to express this idea, such as describing the initial event and then its subsequent impact.

Are there contexts where "prior later" might be acceptable?

Given that standard English doesn't recognize "prior later" as a valid phrase, there are no commonly accepted contexts for its use. Clarity should always be prioritized, opting for grammatically correct alternatives.

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