prior to taking

USAGE SUMMARY

"prior to taking" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: Prior to taking the test, I reviewed the material three times.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prior to taking this role, Guy was managing director of AKQA in New York.

The Guardian

Barack Obama speaking with officeholders and dignitaries prior to taking the oath of office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said the family would "exhaust all legal channels prior to taking other action" to help secure Greste's release.

The Guardian

"They had to move very quickly to completely divest themselves of their entire interest prior to taking office," he said.

The New York Times

All participants provided Informed Consent prior to taking part in the study.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Fruits were exposed to darkness for 30 min prior to taking the fluorescence measurements.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

In the log earnings specification, $1 is substituted for zero earnings prior to taking logs.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

All pharmacists were trained prior to taking part in the studies.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Prior to taking on this position, I ran the grassroots program for Greenpeace.

Forbes

Today, 56 SNP MPs are descending upon Westminster, prior to taking up their seats.

BBC

Prior to taking the CEO role Kroll served as HQ's CTO.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a simpler alternative like "before taking" would suffice, especially in less formal contexts. While "prior to taking" is correct, it can sometimes sound overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to taking" in constructions where the meaning is already implied. For example, instead of saying "Prior to taking the exam, I had previously studied", simply say "Prior to taking the exam, I had studied" or "Before taking the exam, I had studied". The word "previously" is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to taking" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the timing of an action relative to another. It describes when something occurs in relation to the "taking" action, providing a temporal context. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to taking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a temporal sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appears frequently in diverse sources. Although acceptable in most contexts, in some cases it is advisable to adopt the simpler option of "before taking". It is seen more often in science, news, and business contexts and less frequently in wikis or encyclopedias. When writing, ensure that the use of "prior to taking" adds clarity and is not redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before taking

This alternative is a more direct and common way to express the same temporal relationship, using a simpler word choice.

previous to taking

A more formal synonym, maintaining the structure but altering the specific wording.

ahead of taking

This phrase emphasizes the preparatory aspect, suggesting that something is done in anticipation of the subsequent action.

beforehand taking

Implies actions are done well in advance, emphasizing proactive planning and careful preparation.

in advance of taking

This option highlights the proactive nature of the action, emphasizing planning and preparation.

earlier than taking

Focuses on the temporal aspect, highlighting that the action occurs at an earlier time.

preceding the taking of

This alternative employs a more formal and somewhat more complex structure.

until taking

Indicates that something continues up to the point when the action is taken, adding a sense of duration.

antecedent to taking

A highly formal and less common alternative, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship.

on taking before

This version inverts the more natural order, creating more emphasis on the act of taking and what should precede it.

FAQs

What does "prior to taking" mean?

The phrase "prior to taking" means before performing or undergoing a specific action. It indicates a sequence where something must happen first before another action can occur.

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

You can use "prior to taking" to show that one action precedes another, such as, "Prior to taking the stage, the actor practiced his lines one last time."

Which is the better choice, "prior to taking" or "before taking"?

Both phrases are correct, but "before taking" is generally considered more straightforward and less formal than "prior to taking". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What are some alternatives to "prior to taking"?

Alternatives to "prior to taking" include "before taking", "ahead of taking", or "in advance of taking". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.