IELTS Vocabulary: Mastering the Word ‘Prior’
Learn how to use ‘prior’ correctly in IELTS. This video covers the meaning, word type, synonyms, antonyms, and common usage examples of ‘prior’. Improve your vocabulary and boost your IELTS score with this essential word.
Mastering key vocabulary is crucial for achieving a high band score in IELTS. Today, we’re focusing on the word prior, an essential term that can elevate your language skills and help you reach that coveted band six point five or higher.
Word type: Prior functions as an adjective in English.
Meaning: Prior means existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
It refers to something that happened earlier or is considered more important than something else.
Word history:
The word prior comes from Latin, where it meant earlier or superior. It entered the English language in the fourteenth century and has retained its core meaning since then.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for prior include subsequent, later, following, and posterior.
Synonyms: Synonyms for prior include previous, earlier, former, preceding, and antecedent.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how you can use prior in IELTS-style sentences. One. Prior experience in customer service is essential for this position.
Two. The researcher collected data from prior studies to support her hypothesis. Three. Prior to the industrial revolution, most goods were produced by hand.
Four. Students must complete all prior assignments before moving on to the next module. Five. The company requires prior approval for any expenses over one thousand dollars.
Common errors in use: Be careful not to confuse prior with priority. While prior refers to something that came before, priority means the fact or condition of being regarded as more important.
Also, remember that prior is typically followed by to when used as a preposition. For example, you would say Prior to the exam rather than Prior the exam.
Lastly, avoid redundant phrases like advance prior planning. Since prior already implies something happening before, adding advance is unnecessary.
Understanding and correctly using the word prior can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to express temporal relationships and priorities clearly, which is particularly useful in Writing Task Two and Speaking Part Three.
Practice incorporating this word into your vocabulary, and you’ll be one step closer to achieving that band six point five or higher in your IELTS test.
