Precede sth with sth Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “Precede sth with sth” Mean?

“Precede sth with sth” means to place or come before something else in time, order, or position. It often refers to adding one thing before another.

Introduction

The phrase “precede sth with sth” is commonly used in English to describe the action of putting one thing before another. For example, you might precede a speech with an introduction or precede a meal with an appetizer. Understanding the “precede sth with sth meaning” helps learners use this expression correctly in various contexts, from daily conversations to formal writing. It clarifies the order of events or items and is useful for describing sequences clearly and effectively.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: precede something with something
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to come or happen before something else

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Precede sth with sth” is a transitive phrasal verb and is inseparable. You cannot separate “precede” and “with” by the object.

Patterns:

• Precede + something + with + something
• Example: The ceremony was preceded with a speech.

How to Use “Precede sth with sth”?

Use “precede sth with sth” when you want to say that one thing happens or is placed before another. It often appears in formal or written English but can be used in everyday speech as well. The first “sth” is the main event or thing, and the second “sth” is what comes before it.

Examples

Here are some examples showing how to use “precede sth with sth in a sentence”:

• The professor preceded the lecture with a short introduction about the topic.
• They preceded the main course with a delicious appetizer.
• In the report, the findings were preceded with a summary of the research methods.
• The movie was preceded with a series of commercials.
• We often precede meetings with a briefing to prepare everyone.

Common Mistakes

It’s easy to confuse the order or prepositions when using this phrase. Here are some common errors and corrections:

• Incorrect: She preceded with a question the presentation.
  Correct: She preceded the presentation with a question.
• Incorrect: The event was preceded by a welcome speech.
  Correct: The event was preceded with a welcome speech.

Note that “precede sth with sth” uses “with” not “by” after “preceded” when the sentence is active voice.

Differences / Synonyms

“Precede sth with sth” is similar to “come before” or “go before,” but it specifically highlights the action of placing one thing before another. Unlike “follow,” which means to come after, “precede” focuses on the order before something.

Synonyms include:

• Come before: The appetizer comes before the main dish.
• Go before: The introduction goes before the speech.
• Introduce with: Often used interchangeably but usually refers to the start.

The key difference is that “precede sth with sth” emphasizes the deliberate ordering or arrangement.

Common Collocations

Here are some common words that often follow or are used with “precede”:

• Speech: To start a speech with an introduction.
• Meal: To precede a meal with an appetizer.
• Event: To precede an event with a welcome message.
• Lecture: To precede a lecture with background information.
• Report: To precede a report with an executive summary.

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “precede sth with sth”:

Anna: How should we start the presentation?

Mike: Let’s precede the main slides with a quick overview.

Anna: Good idea. That will help everyone understand the context.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences below using “precede sth with sth”:

• The teacher __________ the exam __________ a review session.
• We usually __________ dinner __________ a small salad.
• The meeting was __________ a short speech from the manager.

Answers:

• precede the exam with a review session
• precede dinner with a small salad
• preceded with a short speech

FAQs

• Q: Can “precede sth with sth” be used in informal speech?
  A: Yes, but it is more common in formal or written English.
• Q: Is “precede sth with sth” separable?
  A: No, it is inseparable. You cannot separate “precede” and “with.”
• Q: Can I use “precede sth by sth” instead?
  A: “Precede by” is less common and usually used in passive form. In active sentences, use “precede sth with sth.”
• Q: What kind of things can precede others?
  A: Events, speeches, meals, reports, and other actions or items can be preceded.
• Q: Does “precede sth with sth” always mean time order?
  A: Mostly yes, but it can also refer to order of presentation or arrangement.