preceding

Preceding means coming before. A close synonym is previous.

As an adjective, preceding is always used before a noun, as in the preceding chapter.��

Preceding can also be used as the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb precede, which means to come before.

In most cases, the opposite of preceding is following, meaning coming after. For example, if you’re reading Chapter 7, the preceding chapter is Chapter 6, and the following chapter is Chapter 8.

Example: The seventh book in the series features many of the same characters as the six preceding novels.

The first records of the word preceding as an adjective come from the late 1400s. Its base word, the verb precede, comes from the Latin �������ŧ������, meaning “to go before,” from prae-, “before,” and ��ŧ������, “to move.”

When something is described as preceding, it is usually being discussed in reference to what follows or has followed it. Preceding is most commonly applied to things in a series. The word previous means the same thing, but it’s used more broadly—you’re more likely to say the previous year or the previous meeting than the preceding year or the preceding meeting.

������ are some other forms related to preceding?

• precede (verb)

������ are some synonyms for preceding?

• previous
• precedent (when precedent is used as an adjective)
• prior
• foregoing
• former
• earlier

������ are some words that share a root or word element with preceding?��

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• precedent
• succeed
• proceed
• secede

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������ are some words that often get used in discussing preceding?

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• following
• chapter
• program
• sentence
• period
• week
• month

������ are some words preceding may be commonly confused with?

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• proceeding

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Preceding is commonly used to describe the previous item in a series or succession.

Textbook: the preceding chapter will allow us to answer the homework
Reality: requires a Phd. tutor, a supercomputer, and Poseidon's Trident

— Jake Smith (@6ft6JakeSmith)

: Mayo Clinic's Research News Roundup is published each month. This article includes brief summaries and links to news releases from the preceding month that discuss some of the latest .

— Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic)

The following sentence is true. The preceding sentence is false.

— Tanya Osterman (@TanyaOsterman)

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Is preceding used correctly in the following sentence?

We earned more in April than in the three preceding months.