prior to the existence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to the existence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time or condition that occurred before something came into being or was established. Example: "The research focused on the environmental conditions that existed prior to the existence of the species."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

For example, the house is composed by bits of wood, stone, and iron, and these parts existed prior to the existence of the house.

SEP

Typically, (e.g., Gibbard 1975, Noonan 1993, Johnston 1992), arguments that c and s1 are not identical run as follows: c exists prior to the existence of s1 and hence the two are not identical.

SEP

If the "claim" of the invention covers something that already existed prior to the existence of the patent a term known as "prior art"—then the patent would be deemed invalid.

Vice

"Usually you can't build a house without an architect doing drawings – there is an intention prior to the existence of the building.

The Guardian

It's just fortunate that I have it prior to the existence of any children I might birth, lest they be forced to go back more than one generation along the evidence chain to prove their citizenship.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you think, following the dictionary definition of essentialism, that the essence of rabbitness is "prior to" the existence of rabbits (whatever "prior to" might mean, and that's a nonsense in itself) evolution is not an idea that will spring readily to your mind, and you may resist when somebody else suggests it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Moreover, it has been suggested that, according to its administration prior or further to the existence of preneoplastic lesions, folate would rather prevent or increase tumor development, respectively [ 53].

BMC Cancer

A Bayesian would have to make the same kind of difficult choice as to what "prior probability" to assign to the existence of ESP.

The New York Times - Science

But it certainly prompts a hopeful thought... Is there anyone alive today above the age of nine, and halfway sane, who would assign a prior probability of 50% to the existence of fairies on the ground that "we do not know whether or not there are fairies"?

The Guardian - Opinion

For instance, we might say that the members of a set are prior to the set itself; the existence of the set is grounded in its members.

SEP

The reasons for this low mortality among elderly may relate to the existence of prior immunity of individuals born before 1957 after infection with an A(H1N1 2009 antigenically related virus [ 15, 16].

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior to the existence of", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being referred to before its existence. For instance, "Prior to the existence of the internet, research methods were significantly different."

Common error

Avoid using "before prior to the existence of" as it is redundant. Choose either "before the existence of" or "prior to the existence of", but not both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to the existence of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a temporal clause, specifying a time frame preceding the coming into being of something. It is used to establish a context or condition that existed earlier.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prior to the existence of" is a grammatically correct and useful prepositional phrase for indicating a time before something came into being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various real-world examples. While the phrase is most common in scientific and formal contexts, it’s important to avoid redundancy by not using it with "before". Consider alternatives such as "before the advent of" or "preceding the emergence of" for stylistic variation. Understanding these nuances will help ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the advent of

Emphasizes the arrival or beginning of something, similar to existence but focuses on the starting point.

preceding the emergence of

Highlights the process of something coming into being or becoming noticeable.

antecedent to the presence of

Focuses on what came before the current presence, stressing temporal order.

prior to the formation of

Specifically relates to the period before something was created or formed.

before the establishment of

Emphasizes the period before something was officially set up or founded.

previous to the rise of

Focuses on the period before something increased in power, influence, or importance.

in advance of the origination of

Highlights the temporal aspect of something originating or beginning.

antedating the inception of

Stresses that something existed before the very beginning or start of something else.

pre-existent to the reality of

Highlights that something existed before something else became a reality.

dating back before the origin of

Specifies that something existed long before the beginning or origin of another thing.

FAQs

How can I use "prior to the existence of" in a sentence?

Use "prior to the existence of" to indicate a time or state before something came into being. For example, "Prior to the existence of modern medicine, many diseases were untreatable."

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

You can use alternatives like "before the advent of", "preceding the emergence of", or "prior to the formation of" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "before" and "prior to the existence of"?

"Before" is a simpler and more general term, while "prior to the existence of" is more specific and emphasizes that something did not exist at a certain time. Depending on your writing style choose the option that suits better the purpose.

Is it correct to say "before prior to the existence of"?

No, it is redundant. Using both "before" and "prior to the existence of" together is unnecessary. Choose either "before the existence of" or "prior to the existence of".