prior then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior then" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of terms; "prior" typically means before, while "then" indicates a sequence in time. Example: "Prior to the meeting, we need to gather all necessary documents."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

First Trott, then Prior, then Swann, and now Monty.

The Guardian - Sport

Prior then gets off the mark with two to deep point.

The Guardian - Sport

Refreshed, Prior then took successive boundaries from Harris, to third man and through midwicket.

The Guardian - Sport

Prior then goes on the mow, collecting four over mid-on as he backs away to leg.

The Guardian

Having added 107 for the seventh wicket with Ian Bell, Prior then helped Bresnan put on 102 for the eighth, before Swann added insult to Johnson's bowling injury.

The Guardian - Sport

But Prior then admitted he had underestimated the extra pressures of the vice-captaincy after his batting slumped during the home Ashes series last summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Only a few days prior, then-Transportation Minister David Turnbull had deemed the highway "pleasant" to drive.

Wikipedia

Just a few years prior, then-Vice President Dick Cheney had left his perch as CEO of Halliburton to work in the executive branch, which critics noticed and called out with fury. .

Huffington Post

So, if syntactic structure determines priors, then these two hypotheses should have the same prior probabilities.

SEP

Scientific modeling and decision analysis have roots in Bayesian statistics, an inferential statistics in which preliminary probabilities are assigned for certain outcomes ("priors"), then adjusted quantitatively in response to evidence, observations, and assumptions.

Science Magazine

Notice that because m boostrapped samples are obtained, and that each EM run may contain priors, then once the EM algorithm has run, the model parameters will be different.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "prior then" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "before that" or "previously" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Do not confuse "prior", which indicates precedence, with "then", which indicates sequence. Using them together can create grammatically unsound sentences. Choose one or the other, or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior then" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase, aiming to indicate a sequence in time where one event precedes another. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prior then" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While it attempts to convey a sequence of events, where something happens before something else, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it is better to opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives such as "before that", "previously", or "at an earlier time". The phrase's rare occurrence and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before that

Replaces "prior then" with a simpler expression indicating a preceding event.

previously

Offers a direct substitute denoting an earlier time or event.

at an earlier time

Provides a more formal alternative to indicate something happened before.

in the past

Indicates a general reference to events that occurred before the present.

formerly

Suggests a previous state or condition that no longer exists.

beforehand

Emphasizes preparation or action taken in advance.

in advance

Highlights acting or planning ahead of time.

ahead of time

Similar to "in advance", stressing the timing of an action.

earlier on

A less formal way of saying "previously" or "before".

up until then

Focuses on the period leading to a specific point in time.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "prior then"?

Instead of "prior then", you can use phrases like "before that", "previously", or "at an earlier time" to indicate something happened before a specific point.

Is "prior then" grammatically correct?

The phrase "prior then" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to choose one of the words or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

How can I use "previously" in a sentence instead of "prior then"?

You can replace "prior then" with "previously" to indicate something happened at an earlier time. For example, instead of "Prior then, we had discussed the budget", you can say "Previously, we had discussed the budget."

What's the difference between "before that" and "prior then"?

"Before that" is a simpler and more grammatically correct alternative to "prior then". Both indicate a time before a specific event, but "before that" is more commonly used and accepted in standard English.