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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
By prior appointment only
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "by prior appointment only" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to indicate that something must be done after making an appointment beforehand. For example, "The museum is open to visitors by prior appointment only."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"The man attended by prior appointment and was not arrested.
News & Media
She also cooks a mean feast (by prior appointment), with a unique Indo-Portuguese menu: highlights include bacalhau (salt cod) and rissóis de camarão (prawn dumplings).
News & Media
All persons interviewed agreed to do so by prior appointment as part of their professional attachment to the institutions.
Science
They are accessible only via prior appointment and just 500 people looked at the collection in the last year.
News & Media
Open by appointment only.
News & Media
By appointment only.
News & Media
Tasting by appointment only.
News & Media
Relatives by Appointment Only".
News & Media
Otherwise, by appointment only.
News & Media
Tours by appointment only.
News & Media
Hours: by appointment only.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
When using "by prior appointment only", ensure that contact information or instructions on how to make an appointment are clearly provided. This avoids confusion and facilitates the booking process.
⚠ Common error
Avoid simply stating "by prior appointment only" without providing instructions on how to schedule the appointment. Always include relevant contact details or a link to an online booking system.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "by prior appointment only" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a condition for access or service. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies that something must be done after making an appointment beforehand. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
33%
Science
32%
⚠ Less common in
Reference
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "by prior appointment only" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something requires a pre-arranged booking. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, informing people about the necessity of making an appointment in advance. Its register is professional and neutral, fitting seamlessly into news, business, and scientific contexts. Remember to provide clear instructions on how to book an appointment when using this phrase.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
appointment necessary
Directly states the need for an appointment.
visits are strictly by appointment
Reinforces the strict adherence to appointment-based visits.
admission by appointment only
Focuses on admission being contingent on having an appointment.
scheduled visits only
Indicates that visits are only allowed if they are scheduled.
prior arrangement required
Emphasizes the need for arrangements to be made beforehand.
with advance booking required
Emphasizes the requirement of booking before arrival.
FAQs
What does "by prior appointment only" mean?
The phrase "by prior appointment only" means that access, service, or entry is granted only if an appointment has been scheduled and confirmed in advance.
How do I use "by prior appointment only" in a sentence?
You can use "by prior appointment only" to indicate that a service or location requires a pre-scheduled booking. For example, "The gallery is open /s/to+the+public+by+appointment only" or "Consultations are /s/available+by+appointment only".
What is a more formal alternative to "by prior appointment only"?
A more formal alternative to "by prior appointment only" is "advance booking is required" or "admission is by appointment only".
Are there situations where I shouldn't use "by prior appointment only"?
It's best not to use "by prior appointment only" if walk-ins or spontaneous visits are generally accepted. Instead, use it when scheduling in advance is a strict requirement.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested