prior to vs before

Both 'prior to' and 'before' are correct and commonly used in English. 'Prior to' is more formal and is often used in written language, while 'before' is more common in everyday spoken English.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 223 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used, especially in formal contexts.

"prior to"

Use 'prior to' when you want to express something that happened before a specific point in time. It is more formal and is often used in written language.

Examples:

Please submit your report prior to the deadline.
The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM, but it started five minutes prior to that.

Show examples from the web [+]

Something Dr Soong created prior to Data.
Three incidents of fugue prior to that.
Evidence of aggravated vomiting prior to death.
Everything prior to that was gone.
Doribax is reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.
Rasagiline undergoes almost complete biotransformation in the liver prior to excretion.
Please consult your doctor prior to buying drug.
Recommended prior to any massage or body treatment.
May eliminate older color to prepare floor prior to portray.
Consult your health care professional for advice prior to scheduling the surgery.
Please review this information prior to making a booking.
Please read our General Terms prior to registering.
We exercise these prior to implantation.
Two liters saline and ten milligrams morphine prior to airway management.
We believe he had illicit financial dealings prior to his death.
Only with a death certificate, directly prior to the funeral.
But the neighbors reported seeing his car arrive home prior to hearing any screaming.
Adyghe society prior to the Russian invasion was highly stratified.
Fruits are often cooked prior to consumption.
Inspect the TYSABRI vial for particles prior to dilution and administration.

Alternatives:

before
previously to
in advance of
ahead of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

"before"

Use 'before' when you want to indicate that something happened earlier than a specific point in time. It is more commonly used in everyday spoken English.

Examples:

I had breakfast before I left for work.
Please finish your homework before dinner.

Show examples from the web [+]

Temperature dropped 40 degrees Right before Pemberton was attacked.
Just a few mornings before work.
You saw my potential before anyone else.
Just killing some Time before my big meeting.
Four minutes before the Tokyo market opened.
Projects delegate Cowan was pushing before she died.
The hybrid before they unplugged it.
I raised 25 bucks extra before we left.
Your father lost several prototypes before Lore.
We never had a psychiatrist staying here before.
You should change before you catch pneumonia.
Report says methane has replaced oxygen tanks an hour before take-off.
Which he bought before abducting peter.
Quick, drink before the wound closes.
He died before I got there.
Let's date everyday before you leave.
At least we found Big Bertha before something terrible happened.
Sometimes friends come before the mlssion.
You get my permission before talking to Erica.
I finished my inspection seven hours before the exhibition started.

Alternatives:

prior to
previously
earlier than
in advance of

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prior to vs before

"prior to"

"before"

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