this is preceded by the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is preceded by the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that comes before another element in a sequence or context. Example: "In the document, this is preceded by the introduction section that outlines the main objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is preceded by the rhyme, the qaafiya.

The Guardian - Books

This is preceded by the formation of sedimentary lobes due to rapid water loss by infiltration.

GeoResJ

This is preceded by the binding of transcription factors to the promoter region to form a complex Qj.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All this was preceded by the news that his wife is not better and the doctors do not think she will get better.

The New Yorker

This was preceded by the 1987 piece "Newark (Niweweorce)," from what Brown calls the "valiant series," a tougher group of dances that she made in the eighties.

The New Yorker

This was preceded by the Canadian Open Championship, which was won by the Chinese grandmaster Bu Xiangzhi - who has gone on to Biel, ahead of a strong group half a point behind, including Nigel Short, who is playing in Montreal.

The Guardian - Sport

The pattern of failure and subsequent analysis suggests that fracture initiated on the surface of the bore and that this was preceded by the development of large circumferential hoop stresses.

Medical Engineering & Physics

This was preceded by the Max Planck Society having strongly condemned the attack on 8 July, by stating: "The fact that the attack was racially motivated is especially distressing to us, considering that the Max Planck Society is a scientific research organisation with staff members from the most various nations".

Wikipedia

This was preceded by the loss of Crb from the apical domain.

Plosone

This was preceded by the definition: A physical fight occurs when two or more students of about the same strength or power choose to fight each other.

Plosone

This was preceded by the installation of the chambers on the twigs at 9 a.m. for 1 hour.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is preceded by the" when you want to clearly establish a chronological order or a sequence of events, ensuring the reader understands what occurred before the subject you're discussing.

Common error

Avoid using "this is preceded by the" in simple sentences where a more direct phrasing like "before this" or "previously" would be more concise and effective. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "this is preceded by the" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is acted upon by a preceding event or element. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, establishing a clear sequence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is preceded by the" is a grammatically sound construction used to establish chronological order and sequence in various contexts. As noted by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase, although its frequency is relatively rare. Primarily found in science, news, and wiki articles, the phrase serves to provide context by indicating what occurred before the subject at hand. While effective, writers should be mindful of conciseness and consider more direct phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is preceded by

Slightly shorter; omits the definite article "the".

what comes before this is

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize what precedes.

this follows after

Uses a different verb to indicate sequence.

this occurs after

Focuses on the timing of events.

this is subsequent to

Replaces "preceded" with its antonym.

this is the result of

Emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship.

this is a consequence of

Highlights the outcome of a prior event.

this is built upon

Suggests a foundational relationship.

this originates from

Indicates the starting point or source.

this is historically grounded in

Focuses on the historical context.

FAQs

How can I use "this is preceded by the" in a sentence?

Use "this is preceded by the" to indicate that something happened or existed before the current subject. For example, "The economic crisis "this is preceded by the" collapse of the housing market".

What are some alternatives to "this is preceded by the"?

Some alternatives include "this follows after", "this comes after", "this is subsequent to", or "before this". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and tone of your writing.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "this is preceded by the"?

The phrase itself is in the passive voice. If you want to use the active voice, you could rephrase the sentence to something like, "X precedes this".

What's the difference between "this is preceded by" and "this is followed by"?

"This is preceded by" indicates what comes before something, while "this is followed by" indicates what comes after. They are opposite in meaning and establish a sequence in opposite directions.