preceding

Everyday

1. Coming just before something in time, order or position (the preceding page, the preceding year). tree →
2. Going in front of or happening before something else. tree →

In the lessons

A formal exam and maths word: «the preceding number» is the one just before (the number preceding 50 is 49); «in the preceding question» means the one before. In stories, events preceding a storm. Phrases: «the preceding day», «preceding question», «in the preceding weeks».

Examples

• Look at the preceding page for the answer. tree →
• The number preceding 100 is 99. tree →
• Use your answer from the preceding question. tree →
• In the preceding weeks, she practised every day. tree →
• The days preceding the holiday were busy. tree →
• A flash of lightning comes in the seconds preceding the thunder. tree →
• The evening passed pleasantly like the one preceding. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday: «before», «previous», «last». Opposite: «following», «next». Do not confuse «precede» (come before) with «proceed» (go on). In maths: the number preceding n is n − 1; the term preceding in a sequence comes just before.