prior to going

USAGE SUMMARY

"prior to going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that needs to happen before a certain event takes place, for example, "I need to complete my paperwork prior to going on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A. -- Well, let me step back and review my thinking prior to going into Iraq.

The New York Times

"This individual committed suicide prior to going to trial," Ms. Hurst said.

The New York Times

Students must have completed their thesis research prior to going on internship.

Harvard University

Prior to going away they felt they had not been spending enough time together, but all that changed.

The Guardian

As I've resigned prior to going to Australia for a year, I don't care what anyone thinks!" WICKET!

The Guardian - Sport

These days rock stars such as Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan put on a tie prior to going on stage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prior to going home, Hu had felt trepidation about coming out to people he had known all his life.

The New Yorker

"Jackson regarded the killing as practice prior to going to Times Square to kill additional black men," the complaint stated.

The Washington Post

If polyethylene glycol is not available, flush with water for at least 30 minutes prior to going to hospital.

Princeton University

A member of the Downtown Athletic Club, he swam for an hour each day prior to going to the office.

The New York Times

Was this entirely driven by Pyongyang's desire to raise the stakes prior to going back to the six-party talks?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior to going", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or destination that is being approached. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "prior to going" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "before going" or "before heading out" in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to going" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an action or event in relation to another. It introduces a dependent clause that specifies something that must be done or considered beforehand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

27%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prior to going" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase commonly used to indicate that an action precedes another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for use in written English. While versatile, it is best used in contexts where a formal or neutral tone is appropriate. Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns shows the phrase appearing frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider using alternatives such as "before going".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beforehand

A more concise, single-word alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

in advance

Implies planning or preparation done earlier.

ahead of time

Similar to "in advance", but can also refer to events happening sooner than expected.

previous to departure

More formal and specific, referring to actions taken before leaving a place.

earlier than departure

Focuses on the timing relative to a departure.

preceding departure

Formal and emphasizes the order of events.

before embarking

Specific to starting a journey or endeavor.

prior to commencement

A formal alternative, suited for describing events before a start or beginning.

preliminary to starting

Highlights the preparatory nature of an action.

in anticipation of leaving

Implies preparation with the expectation of a future departure.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "prior to going"?

Alternatives include "beforehand" or "before going", which are often suitable for more informal contexts.

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

Example: "Prior to going on stage, the musician practiced his scales."

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

While both phrases are grammatically correct and interchangeable, "prior to going" can sound more formal than "before going".

When is it best to use "prior to going" instead of "before going"?

Use "prior to going" in formal writing or when a more elevated tone is desired. In casual settings, "before going" is generally preferred.