ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: sentence difference

Avangi — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:53:58 GMT

IMHO "in advance of" implies a special relationship between *** and ZZ which does not in fact exist. It's probably coincidental that they depart the same airport.

The Secret Service team arrived in advance of the Presidential party, to set up observation posts, and to plan for the President's safety.

- A.

Second that on Marius.

Re: sentence difference

Anonymous — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:39:13 GMT

Thank you, again.

You said/wrote:

The flight to Washington on [airline] *** leaves before / earlier than / prior to the one on ZZZZ. (I guess you'd have to say that "earlier than" and "prior to" function as adverbs, while "before" still functions as a preposition. Opinions to the contrary are most welcome.)

Can the phrase "in advance of" funtion too?

The flight to Washington on [airline] *** leaves before / earlier than / prior to (in advance of??) the one on ZZ

Thank you for your anticiopated help and I want to say "Congratulations" to Marius for passing the 10,000 post marks -- that means he possible have helped that many people.

Re: sentence difference

Avangi — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:30:19 GMT

While "before" is a preposition, "prior" is an adjective, so you'd need to keep your wits about you when making substitutions. I wouldn't advise you to count on any rule of thumb at this stage, and I'd only be able to say whether or not a particular example works.

Think of the word "early," which is also an adjective. The comparative form, "earlier" is similar to some uses of "prior," but it takes a different preposition, "earlier than" instead of "prior to." "Prior" can also mean "of greater importance," rather than simply, "earlier in time," sort of in the way the noun "precedence" can refer to importance as well as to time.

I wanted to go to her party but I had made an earlier / a prior committment.

The flight to Washington on [airline] XXXX leaves before / earlier than / prior to the one on ZZZZ. (I guess you'd have to say that "earlier than" and "prior to" function as adverbs, while "before" still functions as a preposition. Opinions to the contrary are most welcome.)

One curious thing about "prior" as an adjective is that it can mean before something without saying before what. "Prior knowledge" is a frequently used term these days (possibly legal) used in connection with "insider trading" cases. The person had knowledge of something before he was supposed to, but you only need to say that he had prior knowledge.

This really deserves many more examples, but I have to go to work. I've probably only succeeded in confusing you. Good luck, - A.

Re: sentence difference

Anonymous — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:22:20 GMT

Thank you.

When is it that the use of 'prior' or 'prior to' wouldn't not be an attractive substitute of the word 'before'? Could you give a couple of example sentences?

Re: sentence difference

Avangi — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:01:25 GMT

I see no incorrectness or awkwardness.

sentence difference

Anonymous — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:37:38 GMT

Hi,

How are they different? Are some awkward if not incorrect?

We should notify him two days before his scheduled appearance.

We should notify him two days prior to his scheduled appearance.

Please notify him two days before his scheduled appearance.

Please notify him two days prior to his scheduled appearance.