prior to asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done before making a request or inquiry. Example: "Please ensure you have all the necessary information prior to asking for assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For example, we will occasionally conduct a remote technical test prior to asking someone to travel to London for the pairing test.

The Guardian

Prior to asking for lead information, we ask them questions about the issues they're trying to solve.

Forbes

Most people might find it unseemly were you to run background checks on your potential dates prior to asking them out.

Forbes

Did you sound out any publishers prior to asking for public cash?

Vice

They assume, prior to asking, that I'm uncomfortable or upset with my life.

Vice

If you know you deeply love someone and they disappoint you, your first action, prior to asking for any remorse may be to tell them that you are not in a position to judge, but that their actions hurt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Prior to Ask, Tookey was Google's head of Sales Finance for European Partnerships and before that, a Senior Engagement Manager at management consultancy McKinsey.

TechCrunch

I was being very spiritual over the two weeks prior to this, asking for some opportunity to arise.

The Guardian - Tech

Conversations we'd entertained a day prior —whether to ask out Bekah Gonzalez and how to access games on the library computers — gave way to a tragic, adolescent nativism.

HuffPost

Prior to being asked to set an energy performance goal, these professionals were randomly directed to one of three series of questions.

Energy Policy

"Can you tell me one example where the president swatted a fly when it came to Al Qaeda prior to 9/11?" asked former Senator Bob Kerrey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "prior to asking" to maintain a professional tone. In less formal contexts, "before asking" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to asking" when the sequence is already clear. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Instead, focus on concisely stating the necessary action before the request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to asking" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing of an action in relation to a request or inquiry. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in establishing a sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to asking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that denotes a sequence of events where an action precedes a request. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While alternatives like "before asking" exist, "prior to asking" offers a slightly more formal tone suitable for professional and academic writing. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying the actions that should occur before making a request to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before inquiring

Focuses on the act of inquiring rather than a general asking.

ahead of requesting

Emphasizes that something must be done before a formal request.

previous to questioning

Highlights a more formal or investigative tone.

beforehand from asking

Adds emphasis on preparation or advanced action.

in advance of asking

Highlights the preparatory nature of the action.

preliminary to asking

Suggests an initial or preparatory step.

on the eve of asking

Implies immediacy and anticipation.

leading up to asking

Describes a process or actions that prepare for asking.

antecedent to asking

Introduces a more formal and academic tone.

in anticipation of asking

Highlights expectation and readiness.

FAQs

How do I use "prior to asking" in a sentence?

Use "prior to asking" to indicate that something should be done or considered before making a request or inquiry. For example, "Evaluate your qualifications "prior to asking" for a raise."

What can I say instead of "prior to asking"?

You can use alternatives like "before asking", "ahead of requesting", or "in advance of asking" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "before asking" and "prior to asking"?

"Prior to asking" is generally considered more formal than "before asking". Use "prior to asking" in professional or academic writing to maintain a formal tone.

What is the correct way to punctuate a sentence with "prior to asking"?

When "prior to asking" introduces a clause, a comma is often used to separate it from the main clause. For example, "Prior to asking survey questions, research assistants completed an informed consent process."