prior to the commencement of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to the commencement of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happened or will happen before something else begins. For example, "We must complete all necessary preparations prior to the commencement of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But an adversary relationship may very well exist prior to the commencement of formal proceedings.

Cornell University

Project management literature promotes the importance of activities to secure user collaboration prior to the commencement of any project tasks.

International Journal of Project Management

Results show that early part of the release history prior to the commencement of measurements is poorly recovered.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

The fish were acclimatized to the laboratory conditions 2 months prior to the commencement of experiment.

International Aquatic Research

Domestic migration rates were low prior to the commencement of the drug war and have fallen further since.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

This suggests that stress concentration occurred around the area prior to the commencement of the Kumamoto sequence.  .

Earth, Planets and Space

This suggests that stress concentration occurred around the area prior to the commencement of the Kumamoto sequence.

Earth, Planets and Space

The officers said the defences should be "fully constructed and operational prior to the commencement of any development".

BBC

Thus, prior to the commencement of the employer-employee relationship, the parties have reached agreement with respect to ownership.

Science Magazine

The Master himself may remain, as may one ecclesiastic designated by the Congregations prior to the commencement of the election.

Wikipedia

France pulled out prior to the commencement of the tournament, being unable to field a representative team.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prior to the commencement of" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the importance of timing or preparation before a specific event or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to the commencement of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "before the start of" or "before it begins" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to the commencement of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the time preceding a particular event or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and used to establish a temporal relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to the commencement of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates something happening before a specific event begins. While versatile, it is best suited for formal writing contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. When a less formal tone is desired, alternatives like "before the start of" or "before the beginning of" are more appropriate. Remember to consider your audience and the context of your writing to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the start of

More informal and direct, suitable for everyday conversation.

before the beginning of

Similar to 'before the start of' but slightly more formal.

ahead of the commencement of

Emphasizes being prepared or ready before the start.

in advance of the commencement of

Highlights the proactive nature of acting beforehand.

previous to the commencement of

A more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing.

preceding the commencement of

Similar to 'previous to', indicating something that comes directly before.

earlier than the commencement of

Focuses on the temporal aspect of occurring at an earlier time.

in anticipation of the commencement of

Highlights the expectation and preparation for the start.

preparatory to the commencement of

Emphasizes actions taken in preparation for the commencement.

leading up to the commencement of

Describes the period immediately before the beginning.

FAQs

What does "prior to the commencement of" mean?

The phrase "prior to the commencement of" means before the beginning or start of something. It is a formal way of saying "before something starts".

When should I use "prior to the commencement of" in my writing?

Use "prior to the commencement of" in formal documents, legal agreements, or academic papers where precise and formal language is necessary. In less formal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives such as "before the start of".

What are some alternatives to "prior to the commencement of"?

Some alternatives to "prior to the commencement of" include "before the start of", "before the beginning of", and "ahead of the commencement of". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is "prior to the commencement of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "prior to the commencement of" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's a formal and somewhat verbose way to express the idea of something happening before something else begins.