prior

prior — 形容詞

1. Relating to a time that comes before another specified moment or action.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

先前的

指在時間上先於另一事物存在或發生的

Relating to a time that comes before another specified moment or action.

例句

Gabriel missed the team meeting because of a prior dental appointment.

Gabriel 因為先前的牙科預約而錯過了團隊會議。

collocation: prior appointment

Tuan's first laboratory class assumes no prior training in chemistry.

Tuan 的第一堂實驗課假設學生沒有受過任何化學方面的先前訓練。

collocation: prior training

同義詞
  • previous

    more general and slightly less formal; preferred in everyday speech

  • earlier

    focuses simply on time, without the same binding or scheduling implication

  • preceding

    more formal and often refers to the immediately previous item in a sequence

反義詞
  • later

    refers to something that comes after

  • subsequent

    formal term for something that follows

文法句型

prior + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common in formal business, academic, and legal contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I have a previous commitment for this time slot.
✅I have a prior commitment for this time slot.
💡'prior' is the preferred word in formal scheduling situations.

2. Used in the phrase 'prior to' with the meaning of earlier than a specified momen

2.形容詞C1
釋義

在…之前

用於正式語境，表示在某時間或事件之前

Used in the phrase 'prior to' with the meaning of earlier than a specified moment, event, or action. It serves as a more formal alternative to the word 'before'.

例句

Dylan checked the train schedule prior to buying his ticket for the journey.

Dylan 在買車票之前先查了火車時刻表。

grammar: prior to + gerund

A security guard searched every bag prior to the concert at the stadium.

一名保全在演唱會開始前檢查了每一個包包。

grammar: prior to + noun

同義詞
  • before

    the everyday, neutral alternative; less formal than 'prior to'

  • preceding

    also formal but used as an adjective, not a preposition

反義詞
  • after

    the opposite of 'prior to'

文法句型

prior to + noun

prior to + gerund

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'to' as a compound preposition. 'Prior to' is more common in formal written English than in casual conversation, where 'before' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌Prior the exam, I studied all night.
✅Prior to the exam, I studied all night.
💡'prior' must be followed by 'to' when linking to a time or event.

3. Having greater importance or authority than other matters, so that it must be de

3.形容詞C1
釋義

優先的

因重要性更高而應優先處理的

Having greater importance or authority than other matters, so that it must be dealt with first.

例句

The original artist holds a prior claim to any profits from selling the painting.

原創藝術家對畫作的銷售利潤擁有優先主張權。

collocation: prior claim

Under the new rules, local residents have a prior claim on housing in their neighbourhood.

根據新規則，當地居民對社區內的住宅擁有優先申請權。

collocation: prior claim

同義詞
  • paramount

    stronger; means the most important of all

  • precedential

    technical legal term for setting a legal precedent

反義詞
  • secondary

    less important; coming after in priority

文法句型

prior + noun

用法筆記

Common in legal contexts such as property rights, inheritance, and contracts. The focus is on priority in importance or authority rather than in time.

常見錯誤

❌This issue is prior than that one.
✅This issue takes prior importance over that one.
💡'prior' is not followed by 'than'; use 'over' or 'to' for comparisons.

prior — 名詞