prior to proceeding

USAGE SUMMARY

"prior to proceeding" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that must happen before what follows. For example, you might say, "Please sign the waiver prior to proceeding with the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the time, a company statement said executives would "carefully consider market conditions prior to proceeding" with the offering.

The New York Times

For that reason, we would need to hear from you prior to proceeding to sign the order, which the president is prepared to do immediately.

The New York Times

"We would expect that prior to proceeding with any alternative transaction, especially if your shareholders will not be given the opportunity to vote on it, you would first fully explore our offer," he wrote.

The New York Times

The company issued a statement yesterday saying that it would "carefully consider market conditions prior to proceeding" with a public offering of the new shares, which will be designated Class C. The chairman, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., said he could not comment on the number of shares to be issued, the offering price, or the possible issue date.

The New York Times

Prior to proceeding, let us introduce two possible schemes.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

There are also specific interdependent tasks requiring approval at various stages, prior to proceeding.

Digital Video Surveillance and Security

Prior to proceeding with full-scale construction, a prototype "Engineering Array", consisting of 40 detector stations was tested.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The investigators were first trained on the validated method prior to proceeding with the animal experiments described below.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Limited proof-of-concept monotherapy studies to evaluate safety and antiviral activity should be conducted prior to proceeding to combination therapies.

Journal of Hepatology

However, prior to proceeding to the next step, data consistency requires that the output of the independently processed chunks be recombined.

Journal of Big Data

Experimental evaluation of the PJP was carried out through experiments in a Wind Tunnel Facility (WTF) using momentum defect principle for propulsive performance prior to proceeding with extensive experimental evaluation in towing tank and cavitation tunnel.

International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior to proceeding", ensure clarity about what action must happen first. Be specific and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Prior to proceeding, ensure all steps are followed", say "Prior to proceeding with the experiment, ensure all safety protocols are followed".

Common error

While "prior to proceeding" is correct, consider whether a simpler term like "before" would suffice. Overly formal language can sometimes make your writing sound stilted. For example, "Before starting" is more direct than "Prior to proceeding to start".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to proceeding" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause. It introduces a condition or requirement that must be met before the main action can take place. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to proceeding" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate a necessary preliminary action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts like scientific papers and business reports. While alternatives like "before" exist for simpler communication, "prior to proceeding" effectively emphasizes sequential order. Use it when clarity and formality are paramount, keeping in mind to be specific about the action that must precede the next step.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beforehand

This alternative is a single-word adverb, offering a more concise way to express the same idea.

in advance

This alternative also focuses on doing something earlier, often implying preparation.

previously

This alternative is an adverb that indicates something happened at an earlier time.

ahead of time

This alternative is a phrase that emphasizes the anticipation of a future event.

first

This alternative is a simple adverb denoting the initial action in a sequence.

at the outset

This alternative is a phrase that denotes the beginning or start of something.

to begin with

This alternative emphasizes the starting point of a process or series of actions.

in the first place

This alternative highlights the initial consideration or action that needs to be addressed.

as a first step

This alternative is a phrase that specifically indicates an initial action within a larger plan.

before any further action

This alternative is a more explicit way of saying that something must happen before anything else.

FAQs

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

You can use "prior to proceeding" to indicate that one action must be completed before another can begin. For example, "Prior to proceeding with the data analysis, the data must be cleaned and validated."

What are some alternatives to "prior to proceeding"?

Alternatives to "prior to proceeding" include "beforehand", "in advance", or simply "before", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "prior to proceeding" or can I use "before"?

While "prior to proceeding" is grammatically correct, "before" is often a simpler and more direct alternative that is suitable for most situations. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

In what contexts is "prior to proceeding" most appropriate?

"Prior to proceeding" is most appropriate in formal or technical contexts, such as legal documents, scientific papers, or business reports. In more casual settings, "before" is usually preferable.