How Do You Spell PRIOR TO?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈa͡ɪə tuː] (IPA)

Prior to is a common phrase meaning "before" or "previously". The spelling of this phrase can be broken down into three separate parts: "pri", "ər", and "tu". The "pri" and "ər" combine to form the "prior" portion of the phrase, with the primary stress falling on the first syllable: /ˈpraɪr/. The "tu" is pronounced with secondary stress and schwa vowel, creating the final "to" sound: /tə/. Overall, the IPA representation of "prior to" is /ˈpraɪər tə/.

PRIOR TO Meaning and Definition

1. Prior to is a phrase that is commonly used to indicate a time or event that precedes or comes before another time or event. The term "prior" refers to something that is earlier in order, time, or importance, while "to" indicates direction or a point in time. Therefore, when used together, "prior to" signifies something that occurred or existed before a specific moment or action.

   This phrase is often employed to establish a chronological sequence or establish a historical context. It emphasizes the time period or condition that exists before a particular occurrence, such as an action, event, or milestone. For instance, one might say, "Prior to the invention of smartphones, people relied heavily on landline telephones for communication." In this example, the phrase "prior to" specifies the time period before the emergence of smartphones, elucidating the change in communication habits.

   Additionally, "prior to" can be utilized in various contexts, including formal or legal documents, academic writing, research papers, and everyday speech. Its purpose is to provide essential information, clarify historical background, or introduce a cause-and-effect relationship. Understanding the meaning of "prior to" is crucial for interpreting and comprehending sentences that discuss the sequence or timing of events, ultimately enhancing effective communication.

Top Common Misspellings for PRIOR TO *

• priorto 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Etymology of PRIOR TO

The word prior comes from the Latin word prior, meaning former or previous. It is derived from the comparative form of the Latin word prius, meaning earlier or before. The preposition to has Old English origins and is used to indicate direction or movement. When combined, prior and to create the phrase prior to, which means before or preceding.

Idioms with the word PRIOR TO

• prior to Prior to is a phrase that means before a specific time or event. It is used to indicate that something happened or will happen earlier than another specified occurrence.