prior to this

USAGE SUMMARY

'prior to this' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something which happened before a particular thing or event, either as part of a sentence or as a standalone phrase. For example: "I hadn't been to France prior to this trip, so it was a completely new experience for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Prior to this, we felt lost".

The New York Times

"Prior to this experience," he said.

The New York Times

There was next to no consultation prior to this move.

The Guardian - Arts

Prior to this, only the last three were covered.

The Guardian

The furthest we'd ever been prior to this was Bulgaria.

The Guardian - Travel

I have taken certain steps prior to this date.

The New York Times

Prior to this, Sheldon worked as as HR business partner.

The Guardian

"Prior to this race, I was really emotional.

The New York Times - Sports

But legends of the mountain existed prior to this.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, the market is -- was correcting prior to this crisis.

The New York Times

Prior to this, the actor had no professional acting experience.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prior to this" to clearly indicate a sequence of events, ensuring the temporal relationship is unambiguous. This phrase is particularly useful in formal writing and technical documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to this" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "before this" or "previously" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to this" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial of time. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating when an action occurred in relation to a specific reference point. Ludwig shows several examples across news, science, and academic contexts where this phrase clarifies temporal order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prior to this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for clearly establishing a chronological sequence of events, particularly in neutral to professional contexts such as news reporting, scientific research, and business communication. While effective in formal writing, it's best to avoid overusing it in casual conversation, opting for simpler alternatives like "before this" or "previously". Its frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in precise and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before this

This alternative is more concise and direct, omitting the word "prior" for a simpler construction.

Previously

This is a single-word adverb that conveys the same meaning, suitable for shorter sentences or when brevity is preferred.

Earlier than this

This phrase provides a slightly more emphatic way of indicating that something happened before.

Ahead of this

This suggests a preparatory or anticipatory action before the specified time.

In advance of this

This alternative implies planning or preparation leading up to the event.

Beforehand

Similar to 'previously', but can imply a specific action taken in preparation.

Up until this point

This phrase emphasizes the duration leading to the present moment.

Until now

Implies a situation has changed at the time specified, or that something is about to change.

In the past

Refers to a general time before the present, lacking specificity.

In former times

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying 'in the past'.

FAQs

What does "prior to this" mean?

The phrase "prior to this" means before the current time or the event that is being discussed. It indicates something that happened earlier.

Is "prior to this" formal?

Yes, "prior to this" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "before this". Use it in academic, professional, or technical writing.

What can I say instead of "prior to this"?

You can use alternatives like "before this", "previously", or "earlier than this" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "prior to this" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "prior to this" at the beginning of a sentence. For example: "Prior to this, the company had raised minimum financing."