prior
Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance. It is frequently used to describe a previous arrangement or knowledge that someone has before a specific point in time.
Examples
3 of 5I cannot attend the wedding because I have a prior commitment that day.
I have an earlier engagement that prevents me from coming.
The candidate's prior experience in international law makes her an ideal choice for the position.
The applicant's previous history working in law makes her a good fit.
I didn't have any prior warning that they were planning a surprise party.
I had no advance notice about the party plans.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'PRI' in 'PRIor' as standing for 'PRE' (before). If something is a PRIority, it comes PRIor to everything else.
Quick Quiz
The building cannot be accessed without ___ written consent from the owner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: prior
Examples
I cannot attend the wedding because I have a prior commitment that day.
everydayI have an earlier engagement that prevents me from coming.
The candidate's prior experience in international law makes her an ideal choice for the position.
formalThe applicant's previous history working in law makes her a good fit.
I didn't have any prior warning that they were planning a surprise party.
informalI had no advance notice about the party plans.
Prior research in this field suggests that the results may vary depending on the sample size.
academicEarlier studies indicate that outcomes change based on the group studied.
All international travel requires prior authorization from the department head.
businessTravel needs approval beforehand from the person in charge.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
prior to
before a particular time or event
without prior notice
happening without warning
prior engagement
a previous social or business obligation
Often Confused With
Prior is often more formal and frequently used in legal or business contexts, whereas previous is common in daily speech.
Usage Notes
Prior is most commonly used as an adjective before a noun or in the compound preposition 'prior to' followed by a noun or a gerund.
Common Mistakes
Avoid saying 'prior than'; the correct comparative-like structure is 'prior to'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'PRI' in 'PRIor' as standing for 'PRE' (before). If something is a PRIority, it comes PRIor to everything else.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'prior', meaning 'former', 'previous', or 'superior'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In legal and professional English, 'prior' is strictly used to define terms of notification and existing contractual obligations.
Quick Quiz
The building cannot be accessed without ___ written consent from the owner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: prior
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