Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
shall be preceded
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "shall be preceded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate that one action must occur before another. Example: "The meeting shall be preceded by a brief introduction from the chairperson."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(17)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Continued exposure to high level of fluoride may lead to osteo/skeletal fluorosis after the age of 30 years, but it shall be preceded with dental fluorosis.
Science
Needless to say, this major objective shall be preceded however by steps to dismantle Russian cold-war-era arms dumps left on the soil of Moldova after the Soviet dissolution, full withdrawal of the ammunition depots from the region in conflict, and last but not least - the unconditional resumption of talks, interrupted unilaterally in 2006.
News & Media
This segment, which shall be preceded by a hyphen, will be used to discriminate molecular variants (allele, splice variant) that map to the same locus.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
It was preceded by other domestic scandals.
News & Media
He was preceded by Andre Agassi in 1999.
News & Media
Many setbacks are preceded by warning signs.
Science & Research
In the event that there are two or more children requiring care at the same time, the allowance prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall be granted for one child only (EIA, §19 25).
That is, the boundary of the LCA study shall be the power plant only (and not preceding processes like coal mining, refining etc).. Also, for CCS, the transport and storage of CO2 shall not be taken into account.
The physicians in the preceding paragraph, subparagraph 1, shall be qualified specialist physicians.
The general impression appears to be that the act intends that the income for the charge of the current year, of all traders, shall be determined by the average profit of the three preceding years; and of professions, the actual profit of the preceding year.
News & Media
During the preceding paternity leave period, wages shall be paid (GEEA, §154).
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In legal and formal writing, use "shall be preceded" to clearly establish a mandatory sequence of events. Ensure the context requires a firm directive rather than a suggestion.
Common error
Avoid using "shall be preceded" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "comes before" or "happens first" to maintain a natural tone.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "shall be preceded" functions as a passive construction indicating that a particular event or action must occur before another. This usage is often found in formal or legal contexts where it's crucial to establish a mandatory sequence.
Frequent in
Science
60%
News & Media
30%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "shall be preceded" is a formal construction used to indicate that one event must occur before another, according to Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and primarily used in scientific, legal, and formal contexts to establish a mandatory sequence of actions. While not very common, its use is appropriate when a strict order needs to be emphasized. When writing, remember that simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal situations.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is required before
Highlights a mandatory requirement that something happens prior.
must be antecedent
Emphasizes the necessary prior existence of something.
is to come before
Highlights the temporal order in a slightly less formal way.
is an essential preliminary to
Uses more elaborate vocabulary to express the necessity of a prior step.
will have to precede
Indicates a future necessity, slightly less formal.
is contingent upon
Similar to 'hinges on' but slightly more formal and explicit about the dependence.
should be in advance of
Suggests a recommendation or expectation for prior action.
is dependent on
Focuses on the state of dependence, but may not explicitly imply temporal order.
needs to happen first
Presents the concept of temporal precedence in a very informal manner.
hinges on
Emphasizes reliance on previous action but with a slightly different angle.
FAQs
How to use "shall be preceded" in a sentence?
Use "shall be preceded" to indicate that one event or action must happen before another. For example, "Skeletal fluorosis shall be preceded by dental fluorosis".
What can I say instead of "shall be preceded"?
You can use alternatives like "must be antecedent", "is to come before", or "is required before" depending on the context.
In what kind of writing is "shall be preceded" most appropriate?
"Shall be preceded" is most appropriate in formal, legal, or scientific writing where a strict sequence of events needs to be clearly established.
What's the difference between "shall be preceded" and "is preceded by"?
"Shall be preceded" emphasizes a requirement or instruction for a future event, while "is preceded by" simply describes an order that already exists. For example, "The negotiation shall be preceded by a formal request" versus "The agreement is preceded by lengthy negotiation".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested