prior to tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to tonight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to any time before the current evening or night. Example: "I had never seen such a beautiful sunset prior to tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Prior to tonight, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Andy Gray had won both the junior and senior awards for the same season.

Independent

Republicans hold an 8-to-7 majority on Waterbury's Board of Aldermen, and the 55-minute debate prior to tonight's vote essentially broke along party lines.

The New York Times

Prior to tonight's Latin Grammy Awards, President Barack Obama will outline broad reforms to the US immigration system and explain how he plans to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation without new legislation from Congress.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Indeed, prior to last night's games, coolstandings listed the Red Sox playoff odds at 59.1%.

The Guardian - Sport

Sociedad had lost both of their matches this season prior to last night's game.

Independent

Prior to last night, I had only ever listened to "A Crow Looked at Me" while completely alone.

The New Yorker

In the ten when he has been absent prior to last night they had let in 19.

Independent

Prior to last night's match Wilshere had only made one appearance under the current England manager, as a substitute against Sweden late last year.

Independent

The regulars at Southampton's smart new stadium had, prior to last night, seen their team score just 14 times there in the league this season, while Boro had managed just nine on their travels.

The Guardian - Sport

Stuart Pearce has left it up to the players to decide whether to sing the words and the Welsh contingent opted not to once again prior to last night's 3-1 victoverover United Arab Emirates at Wembley.

Independent

The man regarded as the "No 2" in the Taliban in Pakistan was reported to have died in drone strikes on at least two occasions prior to this morning's strike.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prior to tonight" to clearly indicate something happened before the current evening. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts but consider "before tonight" for simpler communication.

Common error

While "prior to tonight" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "before tonight" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to tonight" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying when something occurred in relation to the current evening. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in setting a timeframe before the night begins.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prior to tonight" effectively indicates a time before the current evening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its use is relatively rare, with just 3 examples found. Predominantly appearing in news and media, it maintains a neutral to formal register. For simpler communication, consider "before tonight". When writing, ensure that the slightly elevated tone is appropriate for your context. By considering alternatives such as "earlier than tonight" or "in advance of tonight", you can tailor your language to different audiences while conveying the same meaning. Keep in mind that in casual contexts, a simpler alternative like "before tonight" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before tonight

Replaces "prior to" with the simpler "before", maintaining the same meaning.

Before this evening

A simpler alternative to "prior to tonight".

Earlier than tonight

Uses "earlier than" to specify a time before the present evening.

Previous to tonight

Similar to "prior to", but using "previous to" for variety.

Preceding tonight

Replaces "prior to" with "preceding", offering a more formal alternative.

Up until tonight

Indicates everything leading to the current evening.

Until this evening

Refers to the period leading up to the current evening.

Leading up to tonight

Emphasizes the events or period that culminate in the present evening.

Ahead of tonight

Specifies occurrences happening before the commencement of tonight.

In advance of tonight

A more formal way of saying before tonight, suggesting preparation or anticipation.

FAQs

What does "prior to tonight" mean?

It means before the current evening or night. It's a way to indicate something happened earlier in the day or on previous days.

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

You can use alternatives like "before tonight", "earlier than tonight", or "up until tonight depending on the context.

Is it better to use "prior to tonight" or "before tonight"?

Both are correct, but "before tonight" is simpler and more direct. "Prior to tonight" can sound more formal.

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

It's suitable for news reports, formal writing, and situations where a slightly elevated tone is desired. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives may be preferable.