precede
/prɪˈsiːd/To come before something or someone in time, order, or position. It can describe events in a sequence, rank in a hierarchy, or physical placement.
- A short warm-up exercise should precede every training session.
- The financial crisis was preceded by years of risky lending.
- She preceded him as director of the research institute.
Adinary Nuance
Precede is broader than its closest neighbors. Predate is used only for time — one thing existing or happening before another across a long span ("the Indus Valley civilization predated the Roman Empire"). Precede works for time, position, and rank in the same sentence. Antecede carries the same meaning but is rare outside philosophy and formal logic — in academic or IELTS writing, "precede" is almost always the right choice. Introduce and preface imply a deliberate act of leading into something, whereas "precede" is neutral — it simply states order without implying intention or purpose.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đi trước
- Spanish
- preceder
- Chinese
- 先于
- Japanese
- 先行する
- Korean
- 앞서다
Etymology
From Latin "praecedere," combining "prae-" (before) and "cedere" (to go), entering English in the late 15th century via Old French "précéder." The core sense of "going before" has remained stable ever since.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'precede' and 'proceed'?
- 'Precede' means to come before something — 'The introduction precedes chapter one.' 'Proceed' means to move forward or continue — 'Let us proceed to the next point.' They sound similar but mean opposite things; a useful tip is that 'pre-' means 'before.'
- What is the difference between 'precede' and 'predate'?
- 'Predate' is used only for time — one thing existing before another, often across a long period. 'Precede' works for time, order, and rank. You would say 'Buddhism predates Christianity' (time across centuries), but 'the opening speech preceded the ceremony' (order in a sequence).
- Is 'precede' formal? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- 'Precede' sits in a neutral-to-formal register. It is common in academic writing, IELTS essays, and professional contexts. In casual conversation, people more often say 'come before' or 'happen before,' but 'precede' is never out of place and sounds educated without being stiff.
- How do I use 'precede' correctly in an academic essay?
- Use 'precede' to show time or logical order: 'Economic instability often precedes political unrest.' You can also use the passive: 'The policy change was preceded by months of debate.' Both patterns are common and correct in academic English.