"precede" vs "predate"

Question

"precede" vs "predate"

The phrases 'predate' and 'precede' are both correct, but they have different meanings and usage. 'Predate' means to exist or occur before something else, especially in time. 'Precede' means to come before something in order or position. They are not interchangeable as they convey different ideas.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

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.

Alternatives:

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

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.

Alternatives:

antecede
antecede
foredate
forego
precede

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

predate

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

"precede" vs "predate"

precede

predate

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