Use of ''PRIOR TO'' correctly in a sentence Hello guysCan someone help me understand how ''PRIOR TO'' is correctly used in a sentence?is the structure : Prior to + verb + ing? e.g.: Kindly ensure that

Thierry Ams

Use of ''PRIOR TO'' correctly in a sentence

Hello guys

Can someone help me understand how ''PRIOR TO'' is correctly used in a sentence?

is the structure :

Prior to + verb + ing? e.g.: Kindly ensure that all workers have been inducted PRIOR TO STARTING WORK

Prior to + verb. e.g. Kindly ensure that all workers have been inducted PRIOR TO START WORK

Prior to + Adjective ?

Prior to + adverb ?

Please im begging you help me understand this.

Thanks in advance

Mar 7, 2019 5:04 AM

Comments · 4

Hi, Thierry. The phrase “prior to” functions as a preposition, since “to” is a preposition in this expression. Therefore, it is always followed by a noun (along with the noun’s accompanying adjectives and determiners, if any). For example “prior to our first important meeting of the year” (the noun is “meeting”). If we want to use a verb, then we use the verbal noun, i.e. the gerund (-ing form). We can also use a gerund phrase. If we need to indicate the subject of the verb, we use the possessive case (or object case informally). This is logical, because the gerund is grammatically a noun, not a verb. “Kindly ensure that all workers have been inducted prior to (your / their) starting work.”

March 7, 2019

The expression 'prior to' is only used in official instructions. Normally we would say 'before', but the grammar is identical.

Phil has given you [and me] a very good explanation of this ; however I wonder how many times highly literate English speakers have written '. .prior to them starting work'.

March 7, 2019

Thanks very much Phil, and Max H.

March 7, 2019

The correct form would be prior to starting work or prior to verb + ing.

I can't think of any examples of prior to + adverb/ adjective.

Lastly, you should be careful. It is easy to overuse "prior to", when you can use "before" in most cases instead. Before is more commonly used and most people will not use "prior to" very often.

-Max

March 7, 2019

Thierry Ams

Language Skills

English, French

Learning Language

English

Articles You May Also Like

Conflict at Work: How to Handle Disagreements in English

7 likes · 0 Comments

How to Give and Receive Constructive Feedback: Strategies for Success in the Workplace

63 likes · 21 Comments

10 American Car Idioms You Should Know

33 likes · 14 Comments

Download the italki App

Interact with native speakers around the world.