Guide 12 / 200 5 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Prior to”
Three letters of attitude over "before."
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Prior to" is "before" in a suit. Legal drafting earned it; email culture adopted it. Strip it unless you're writing a contract and the timing matters precisely.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
Prior to the meeting, review the deck.
After
Before the meeting, review the deck.
iii · The alternatives5 ways out
- 01Before neutral
the default
Before we start, two notes.
- 02Ahead of neutral
scheduled events, deadlines
Ahead of the launch, we tested.
- 03Earlier than neutral
when comparing times
Earlier than expected.
- 04By neutral
a deadline, a cut-off
By Friday, please.
- 05Previously neutral
general earlier-than
Previously noted in the brief.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
"Before" is shorter, clearer, and fits almost every sentence "prior to" tries to.