prior reservation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior reservation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a booking or arrangement made in advance. Example: "Please ensure you have a prior reservation to secure your table." Alternative expressions include "advance reservation" and "pre-booking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This service allows prior reservation of network resources in order to provide guaranteed client connections.

Computer Networks

Access is limited to faculty, students and guests of the department with prior reservation.

Stanford University

"The night in question of Saturday 26th September was a very busy night and the women who have made the complaint against the venue arrived without having made any prior reservation with the venue.

Independent

By prior reservation, visitors can stay overnight in the Field's rustic cabin, hoping to see lightning strike.

Forbes

This is briefly summarized in Table 1 where (T^{off}) is the prior reservation time in hours.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Open for its first full season this summer, it's an intimate and residential-feeling terrace, open to hotel guests and the public by prior reservation, where the scene is more grownup than debauched.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Back in 1980, the ferry took us to a beautiful but serene place, where we walked to a hotel on the sea with no prior reservations and booked a room.

The New York Times

Reassurance from one scientist involved in the work that the virus wasn't so threatening after all and a slam dunk briefing from unidentified intelligence officials refuted prior reservations.

The New York Times

Making prior reservations to park where parking is finite (huge in cities like San Francisco, DC or New York, or on the 130 University campuses where ParkMobile is active).

Forbes

Dinner tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members and may be paid at the door with prior reservations.

Los Angeles Times

Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and may be paid at the door with prior reservations, which can be made with Ed Drollinger at (949) 49496465.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal business communication, place the phrase after a noun as a requirement, such as 'Admission is subject to "prior reservation".'

Common error

Avoid using 'prior reservation in advance' as 'prior' already implies the advance nature. Additionally, do not confuse it with 'previous reservation', which might imply a booking that has already occurred or been canceled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior reservation" typically functions as a noun phrase serving as the object of a preposition (such as 'with' or 'without') or as the subject/object of a verb. According to Ludwig, it serves to establish a prerequisite condition for a specific action or service.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "prior reservation" is an essential phrase for describing pre-arranged agreements. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable term in written English. It is particularly prevalent in settings where access is controlled, such as fine dining, academic labs and exclusive events. While synonyms like <a href="/s/advance+booking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">advance booking or <a href="/s/pre-booking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pre-booking exist, "prior reservation" remains the preferred choice for maintaining a professional and authoritative tone. Its widespread use across prestigious publications and universities highlights its reliability in conveying necessary conditions for service.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance booking

More common in British English and the travel industry

pre-booking

Slightly more informal and often used as a verb form

previous reservation

Often refers to a reservation made in the past relative to another event

early reservation

Emphasizes the timing aspect rather than the necessity

prior arrangement

Broadens the scope beyond just a reservation to any agreed plan

preliminary reservation

Suggests a reservation that might still need final confirmation

pre-ordered spot

More specific to physical spaces or items

scheduled appointment

Typically used for professional or medical services instead of hospitality

advance notice

Refers to the act of informing someone rather than the booking itself

standing reservation

Implies a recurring or permanent booking

FAQs

How do I use "prior reservation" in a professional email?

You can use it to state requirements clearly, such as: "Please note that attendance at the seminar requires <a href="/s/prior+reservation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">prior reservation via our portal."

What is the difference between "prior reservation" and "advance booking"?

While essentially interchangeable, "prior reservation" sounds slightly more formal and is common in legal or academic guidelines, whereas <a href="/s/advance+booking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">advance booking is more standard in the tourism industry.

Can I say "pre-booking" instead of "prior reservation"?

Yes, <a href="/s/pre-booking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pre-booking is a valid alternative, though it is often perceived as more informal and is frequently used as a compound noun in commercial settings.

Is it correct to say "without prior reservation"?

Yes, this is a very common idiomatic use. For example: "The venue was so busy that they could not accommodate anyone <a href="/s/without+prior+reservation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">without prior reservation."