What Does “Preface sth by sth” Mean?
“Preface sth by sth” means to begin something with an introductory statement or action that prepares the audience for what follows.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Preface sth by sth” is commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe the act of introducing a main event, speech, or text with a preliminary comment or explanation. Understanding the Preface sth by sth meaning helps learners communicate more clearly and formally. For example, a speaker might preface their speech by thanking the audience, or a book might be prefaced by an author’s note. This phrase is useful for showing how one thing comes before and prepares for another.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Preface something by something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2–C1
- Short meaning: To introduce something by saying or doing something first
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Preface sth by sth” is a transitive and inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate the verb from the preposition.
Pattern: Preface + object (something) + by + object (something)
- Correct: She prefaced her speech by telling a story.
- Incorrect: She prefaced by telling a story her speech.
How to Use Preface sth by sth?
Use “Preface sth by sth” when you want to explain that one action or statement comes before another to introduce or prepare it. It is often used in formal contexts such as speeches, presentations, books, or reports.
Focus on what is being introduced (the main thing) and the introductory action or statement.
Examples
Here are some examples to show how to use “Preface sth by sth in a sentence”:
- The professor prefaced his lecture by explaining the course objectives.
- She prefaced her email by apologizing for the delay in response.
- The author prefaced the novel by sharing a personal story.
- He prefaced his presentation by thanking the organizers for the opportunity.
- They prefaced the meeting by reviewing last week’s minutes.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the order of objects or omit the preposition “by” when using this phrasal verb.
- Incorrect: She prefaced by her speech a joke.
- Correct: She prefaced her speech by telling a joke.
- Incorrect: He prefaced the speech with a story.
- Correct: He prefaced the speech by telling a story.
Remember, always use “by” after the object that is being prefaced.
Differences / Synonyms
“Preface sth by sth” is similar to “introduce sth with sth,” but it usually implies a formal or written context. “Begin sth with sth” is more general and less formal.
- Preface sth by sth: Formal introduction, often written or spoken.
- Introduce sth with sth: General introduction, any context.
- Begin sth with sth: Simple start, informal or formal.
For example, a book is prefaced by an introduction, but a teacher might begin a lesson with a warm-up activity.
Common Collocations
When using “Preface sth by sth,” certain objects commonly appear:
- Speech – a formal talk
- Lecture – an educational talk
- Presentation – showing information to an audience
- Book – a written work
- Email – electronic message
These collocations help you use the phrasal verb naturally in everyday communication.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of preface sth by sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Preface sth by sth”:
Anna: How did the speaker start the conference?
John: He prefaced his talk by thanking the sponsors.
Anna: That sounds polite and professional.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “preface sth by sth”:
She _______ her report _______ a brief summary of the findings.
- a) prefaced / by
- b) prefaced / with
- c) prefaced / to
- d) prefaced / for
FAQ
Q1: Can “preface sth by sth” be used in casual conversations?
A1: It is more common in formal or written contexts but can be used in casual speech if appropriate.
Q2: Is “preface” always followed by “by”?
A2: Yes, when using this phrasal verb, “by” introduces the action or statement that comes first.
Q3: Can I say “preface something with something”?
A3: Yes, “preface something with something” is also correct and commonly used.
Q4: What is the difference between “preface” and “introduce”?
A4: “Preface” is more formal and often used in writing, while “introduce” is more general.
Q5: Is “preface” a separable phrasal verb?
A5: No, “preface sth by sth” is inseparable; the verb and preposition stay together.
