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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Just prior to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"just prior to" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to refer to something that happened immediately before a particular event. For example, "The police arrived just prior to the fight breaking out."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Straighten the wrists just prior to impact.
News & Media
These assignments will be available just prior to Registration Day.
He reenlisted just prior to the Korean War.
News & Media
This period of exposure represents the time just prior to puberty as well as puberty onset.
Previous studies have examined only the administration of steroids just prior to surgery.
Science
Blood testing at bedside just prior to transfusion minimizes the risk of such upstream events.
The days just prior to ovulation are the most crucial for emergency contraception (EC) efficacy.
Science
Super Aguri was thrown together in a matter of weeks just prior to the 2006 season.
News & Media
Mix the rest of the ingredients together and sprinkle all over just prior to smoking.
News & Media
Perry endorsed Gingrich prior to the debate and just prior to Gingrich's ex-wife's interview.
News & Media
Capsules were collected just prior to dehiscence.
Science
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
Use "just prior to" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where timing is important. It adds precision to your writing by specifying that something occurred immediately before another event.
⚠ Common error
While "just prior to" is acceptable in various contexts, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Consider using more concise alternatives like "before" or "preceding" for a more streamlined style.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "just prior to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate a specific point in time immediately preceding another event. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
Science
38%
News & Media
37%
Academia
5%
⚠ Less common in
Wiki
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "just prior to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred immediately before another event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While it is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider more concise alternatives like "before" or "preceding" in highly formal contexts. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively use "just prior to" to add precision and clarity to your writing.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
immediately before
This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the temporal proximity.
right before
This alternative is slightly more informal and conversational.
shortly before
This phrase suggests a brief interval before the event.
directly preceding
This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the sequential order.
in the moments before
This phrase highlights the fleeting nature of the time leading up to the event.
in anticipation of
This alternative emphasizes the expectation of the event.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "just prior to" in a sentence?
You can use "just prior to" to indicate that an event happened immediately before another. For example, "The rain started /s/just+prior+to the concert beginning".
What is a more formal alternative to "just prior to"?
A more formal alternative to "just prior to" could be "directly preceding" or "in advance of".
Is there a difference between "just prior to" and "prior to"?
Yes, "just prior to" implies a very short time interval before the event, while "prior to" simply means before, without specifying the immediacy.
What are some common words used after "just prior to"?
Common words following "just prior to" include nouns like "the event", "the meeting", "the launch", and verbs like "starting", "beginning", or "happening".
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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
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested