How to Use prior to in a Sentence

prior to

preposition
  • This interview took place prior to the end of the WGA strike.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Sep. 2023
  • The highlight was the amount of rehearsals the whole team did for 30 to 40 days prior to filming.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2023
  • But that was prior to some of the new models coming out on the market that had the range available.
    CBS News, 24 Sep. 2023
  • Those who take it weekly should not take their dose the week prior to the procedure.
    Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 9 July 2023
  • The above is just a short list of steps to take prior to a branding and marketing campaign.
    Susan Johnston, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
  • Chetner was not a coin collector prior to joining the club more than a year ago.
    Alexandria Alvarado, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2023
  • Revenue from Yeezy was roughly in line with the same period last year, prior to the fallout.
    Tim Loh, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2023
  • The remainder of the park will still be accessible prior to the track's opening.
    Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 3 May 2024
  • Malone had already teased a 17-second clip of the track prior to the set, and footage of their music video shoot in Joshua Tree leaked via fan accounts.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 May 2024
  • Mesa Police said that an hour prior to Van's murder, the three men robbed a convenience store and flashed their guns at the clerk while Herrell stayed in the car.
    The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
  • The last time the family received word on a specific diagnosis for Williams was in the fall of 2021, prior to the start of the star’s guardianship.
    Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024
  • Video surveillance of the home showed a hooded man wearing a face covering and a backpack prior to the killing, the sheriffs said.
    Jay Croft, CNN, 21 Oct. 2023
  • Downs has made a good impression since enrolling prior to the Sugar Bowl, getting many snaps in the spring game at safety.
    Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2023
  • First, prior to baking, the solid pieces of butter separate the layers of dough.
    Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2023
  • This included pre-cutting pieces to size, then pre-drilling, and pre-treating them prior to transporting them to the work site.
    Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 28 Mar. 2023
  • Four of these schools were new charters and didn't have any reporting data prior to 2023, which explains the uptick in numbers.
    Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 20 Dec. 2023
  • These four teenagers laze around the neighborhood, pulling small-time heists and oddball capers, but also mourning the loss of their friend Daniel, who took his own life prior to the start of the show.
    Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2023
  • The ship lost power and propulsion prior to crashing into the Baltimore bridge.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
  • Only five have regained their freedom prior to this agreement, while two others were found dead in Gaza.
    Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
  • With that said, the scale needs to be calibrated prior to the first use in order to obtain an accurate reading.
    Casey Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2023
  • In something of a macabre anecdote, Burgess was one of the last people to speak with Scott prior to his accidental death in February 1980.
    Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 16 Dec. 2023
  • Furthermore, the woman had been scheduled to check out two days prior to the tragic discovery.
    Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
  • But consumers are still paying 25% more for groceries than prior to the pandemic, as well as shelling out more for everything from rent to cars.
    CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024
  • Dr Mosconi recommends four 45 to 60 minute sessions a week prior to menopause to support hormonal health.
    Hannah Coates, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024
  • Always obtain your artists’ technical riders and ensure that your on-site AV techs have reviewed them prior to the event.
    Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023
  • About 45 minutes prior to start time, the Chargers’ secondary was involved in some pushing and shoving with a group of Cowboys players.
    Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
  • Describing the event on his Instagram, Labine revealed that the pain started a few days prior to his admission.
    Ebony Williams, ajc, 10 July 2023
  • The suspects were in Silvernail's vehicle with the victims prior to their deaths, according to the sheriff.
    Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2023
  • China’s box office has started to deliver some of the blockbuster earnings it was known for prior to the pandemic.
    Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2023
  • To stage a tournament just six hours south of Augusta National the week prior to the Masters could be savvy marketing.
    Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prior to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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