predate vs precede

The phrases 'predate' and 'precede' are both correct, but 'Predate' means to exist or occur before something else, especially in time. 'Precede' means to come before something in order or position.

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 29, 2025 • 5428 views

The word 'predate' means to exist or occur before something else, especially in time. It is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts.

"predate"

Use 'predate' when referring to something that existed or occurred before another event, especially in a chronological sense.

Examples:

The fossils predate the dinosaurs.
The ancient civilization predates written history.
The origins of the tradition predate the modern era.
The settlement predated the construction of the highway.
The manuscript predates the invention of the printing press.

Show examples from the web [+]

I found arthritic markers on his knuckles and wrists that predate the gunshot wound.
Free movement, the right to live in the place of one's choice and the right to work where one can all call for new European rules and the modernization' of those that predate the Single European Act.
These animal-man related murders predate the oldest X-File by 150 years.
They are shares which predate the Dexia merger.
Only, look, they predate the events.
Our problems long predate Bart's return.
He has essential tremors that predate the drinking, and they worsen with movements of intention.
The M.E. confirms there are injuries on Miles' body that predate the murder.
The Commission review infringes Community rules because it was launched before 12 months had elapsed since the imposition of those anti-dumping duties, as shown by the fact that the presentation to Member States and the official publication predate that time limit.
Every now and then, artifacts which predate the Ori ascension are found or dug up, deemed heretical, and then brought to the city to be burned in the fires.
I found injuries that even predate that.
Charges predate his suspected involvement with Red Tide.
Its foundations predate the Great Pyramids.
There are a few stories that predate Steamboat Willie.
Okay, so, they predate the fossil record.
All these predate even the earliest egyptian dynasties.
That's what happens sometimes with old cases when they predate modern forensics.
The appliances predate my grandmother, but it suits me.
Notes: - The supervisory systems predate the Commission's reform.
By definition, pre-trade transparency must predate the existence of a transaction.

Alternatives:

antecede
antecede
foredate
forego
precede

The word 'precede' means to come before something in order or position. It is commonly used in everyday language to indicate something that comes before another thing.

"precede"

Use 'precede' when referring to something that comes before another thing in order or position.

Examples:

The appetizers precede the main course.
The introduction precedes the conclusion.
The letter 'A' precedes the letter 'B' in the alphabet.
The meeting will precede the conference.
The warning signs precede the dangerous area.

Show examples from the web [+]

Proper upbringing must precede formal education.
For example, Mintakan women precede their mates.
Parts that precede pity and morality.
Generally speaking possessive adjectives precede the noun they modify.
Confirmation should follow Baptism and precede the First Communion.
Blind action and thought precede self-conscious understanding.
I precede the trips by certain preparations he may notice.
Your reputations precede you, gentlemen.
Eight Gates precede the Serpent who guards the Word.
He's right, those pale stripes on the clouds precede the dawn.
As does your reputation precede you.
He whose footsteps precede him will die within a year.
In English, specifiers precede the X-bar that contains the head.
Qualitative analysis must always precede quantitative analysis.
These minor motor abnormalities usually precede more obvious signs of motor dysfunction by at least three years.
IGT may precede type 2 diabetes mellitus by many years.
Blessings both precede and follow the haftarah reading.
As a required part of the ritual at this congregational meeting, two sermons precede the prayer.
Solid tumours may precede, occur concurrently or follow the diagnosis of LCH.

Alternatives:

come before
go before
lead up to
be ahead of
come prior to

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predate vs precede

"predate"

"precede"

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