prior to development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to development" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means before something undergoes progress or improvement. Example: Prior to development, the site was used as a landfill.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others have shown that Il10−/− mice develop increased gut permeability prior to development of colitis [32].

Plosone

At study entry (i.e., prior to development of VAP), the MODS, LIS and CPIS were higher in patients who developed VAP as compared to control patients.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

North Indian village prior to development.

Cornell University

These correlations facilitate rapid feasibility assessment of proposed non-delaminating pulsatile release applications prior to development of physical systems.

Chemical Engineering Science

A k-fold double cross validation technique was employed for variable selection prior to development of the final model.

Food and Chemical Toxicology

This was the case in young mice immunized prior to development of significant brain amyloid burden, and in older mice, where brain amyloid was already present.

Neurobiology of Disease

However, temporal instability of beef heart LDH indicates the need for further protein engineering prior to development of a more robust lactate-sensing protein.

Analytical Biochemistry

We used methods to account for GPS biases, fractal analyses to determine perceived spatial scale, and discrete choice models and conditional logistic regression to assess resource selection prior to development (i.e., baseline data).

Rangeland Ecology & Management

Prior to development of hypoxia, the metalimnion in some areas may have served as thermal refuge from predation from the epilimnetic planktivore, the emerald shiner, and the hypolimnetic planktivore benthivore, the rainbow smelt.

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Although considerably less sensitive than real-time PCR, the Shrimple® test kits provide a useful tool for the detection of WSSV infections prior to development of gross signs of acute disease.

Aquaculture

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate matrix changes in knee cartilage prior to development of surface disruptions and to examine the ankle for evidence of osteoarthritis (OA -like lesiOA -like

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior to development", ensure that the context clearly establishes what 'development' refers to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "prior to development" in very casual settings can sound overly formal. Consider using simpler alternatives like "before developing" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to development" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies that an action or state occurred before a certain stage of progress or unfolding. It connects events in time, highlighting what preceded a specific 'development'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

81%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

News & Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to development" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that something happened before a specified stage of growth or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. With a "Very common" frequency, as shown by Ludwig, it's most often found in formal and scientific contexts, although it can appear elsewhere. While it is generally correct, avoid overuse in very casual situations where simpler alternatives like "before development" might be more fitting. When writing, specify what the 'development' refers to in order to avoid ambiguity and guarantee clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before development

Omission of 'prior to' makes it slightly less formal.

ahead of development

Emphasizes being in a leading position relative to the development.

preceding development

A more formal and academic way to indicate sequence.

in advance of development

Highlights the preparatory nature of the action.

previous to development

A slightly more archaic alternative to "prior to".

earlier than development

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being before development.

antedating development

A more technical term suggesting something existed before the development.

in anticipation of development

Implies preparing or planning for the upcoming development.

leading up to development

Suggests a series of events or actions that precede and influence the development.

before the unfolding of development

More elaborate and literary, emphasizing the process of development.

FAQs

How can I use "prior to development" in a sentence?

You can use "prior to development" to indicate that something occurred or existed before a certain stage of progress. For example, "Prior to development, the area was a forest."

What are some alternatives to "prior to development"?

Some alternatives include "before development", "ahead of development", or "preceding development". Each alternative may slightly alter the nuance of the statement.

Is it better to say "prior to development" or "before development"?

"Prior to development" is more formal than "before development". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. Using "before development" is often suitable for less formal writing.

What's the difference between "prior to development" and "in anticipation of development"?

"Prior to development" simply indicates a temporal sequence, while "in anticipation of development" implies planning or preparation for something that is expected to occur. The phrase "in anticipation of development" suggests a proactive approach.