prior to undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done before starting a particular task or project. Example: "Prior to undertaking the project, we need to conduct a thorough analysis of the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"ERA followed its normal protocol to notify stakeholders prior to undertaking weed management".

The Guardian

Feasibility studies are important in palliative care prior to undertaking clinical trials.

The Journal of Pain

This article illustrates the use of researcher introspection prior to undertaking a sensitive research project.

Journal of Business Research

Prior to undertaking ssGSEA, principal component analysis (PCA) of transcriptional data was performed using custom R scripts.

Nature

Participants had a poor knowledge and poor preparedness for IPV prior to undertaking a targeted education session.

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

A formal proposal must be submitted to the Graduate Committee for approval prior to undertaking the project.

Cornell University

This change would allow companies to better understand investor interest prior to undertaking the expense of an IPO.

Columbia University

A spokeswoman for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said departmental officers underwent specialist training prior to undertaking age determination assessments.

The Guardian

Wouldn't this clearly demonstrate that you have shown a serious interest in a prospective sector prior to undertaking the graduate job search?

The Guardian

Building upon earlier experimental work, the CV design used ensures that respondents are fully aware of all impending valuation tasks prior to undertaking any one of those tasks.

Journal of Environmental Management

The system was tested in static mode in a laboratory environment and in dynamic mode offshore to verify the detection capabilities prior to undertaking area surveys underwater.

Radioactivity in the Environment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior to undertaking", ensure that the sequence of events is clear and logical. Clearly state what action needs to happen before starting the main task.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to undertaking" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "before starting" are more appropriate. Choose the phrasing that best suits your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to undertaking" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an action or event. It introduces a condition that must be met before a particular activity begins. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

17%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to undertaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something must be done before another action begins. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is very common, particularly in scientific and academic writing, signaling a formal tone. While it's perfectly acceptable, remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal contexts. As Ludwig AI suggests, there are indeed numerous contexts, and the phrase is deemed perfectly correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before starting

This alternative offers a more direct and simpler way to express the sequence of actions, replacing a more formal phrase with a common one.

ahead of commencing

This option maintains the formal tone while substituting "undertaking" with "commencing" and "prior to" with "ahead of".

previous to initiating

This alternative is similar in formality but uses "previous to" instead of "prior to", and "initiating" instead of "undertaking".

in advance of beginning

This phrase uses "in advance of" to replace "prior to", which adds a slightly different nuance related to planning.

earlier than embarking on

This alternative uses "earlier than" which shifts the focus to a temporal sequence.

preceding the commencement of

This is a more formal and elaborate substitute that emphasizes the act of commencement.

before the initiation of

This alternative is similar in meaning but emphasizes the start of an event or process.

in anticipation of starting

This option implies preparing for something before it begins, adding a proactive element.

preliminary to starting

This alternative shifts the focus towards something that serves as a preparation.

until undertaking

This alternative is a simpler way to convey the same temporal relationship, focusing on the endpoint rather than the prior action.

FAQs

What does "prior to undertaking" mean?

The phrase "prior to undertaking" means before beginning or starting something. It is a formal way of saying that one action should be completed before another is initiated.

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

You can use alternatives like "before starting", "ahead of commencing", or "previous to initiating" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "before undertaking" or "prior to undertaking"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Before undertaking" is more concise and less formal, while "prior to undertaking" is more formal and emphasizes the sequence. Choose the one that best suits the context and tone of your writing.

When should I use "prior to undertaking" instead of "before starting"?

Use "prior to undertaking" in formal or professional contexts, such as academic papers, legal documents, or business reports. "Before starting" is more appropriate for informal settings and general communication.