Usage of Prior to
Although prior to is occasionally criticized as a pretentious way of saying before, it is well-established in formal contexts, such as the annual reports of corporations. In some of these contexts, it serves to emphasize the procedural nature of something.
page makeup decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting
—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Examples of prior to in a Sentence
make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication
Recent Examples on the Web
Reverse-creaming is the secret to tender cakes Reverse creaming is a technique in which dry ingredients are mixed with butter prior to adding any wet ingredients.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
Coach Troy Taylor prior to departing for Stanford led the Hornets to three straight FCS playoff appearances, with the team going 23-1 in Big Sky Conference play from 2019 through 2022.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Because this was prior to the development of Bliss Creek Golf Course or Prestbury and only Sugar Grove Township roads existed, an agreement was signed with the township to maintain the bridge’s road surface.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The younger Khamenei, 56, had long been considered a contender for the post, even prior to an Israeli strike that killed his father, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.
—Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
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Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
Coach Troy Taylor prior to departing for Stanford led the Hornets to three straight FCS playoff appearances, with the team going 23-1 in Big Sky Conference play from 2019 through 2022.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Because this was prior to the development of Bliss Creek Golf Course or Prestbury and only Sugar Grove Township roads existed, an agreement was signed with the township to maintain the bridge’s road surface.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The younger Khamenei, 56, had long been considered a contender for the post, even prior to an Israeli strike that killed his father, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.
—Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prior to
Cite this Entry
“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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