Indicating temporal sequence

To specify the order or sequence of events in formal situations

Formal meetings, academic writing, legal documents, business correspondence

Formal written and spoken English, professional settings

prior to

prior to

noun phrase or gerund, e.g. a deadline, a meeting, a procedure

• prior to the meeting
• prior to submission
• prior to implementation

• before
• preceding
• in advance of

Using 'prior to' with a finite verb clause, incorrect adjective form

before, in advance of, following

Incorrect use of 'prior than', incorrect adjective form

• temporal connectors
• prepositions

Formal and precise tone, distinguishes from casual alternatives

Authoritative and procedural atmosphere in written communication

Prior to the interview

This chunk is a formal alternative to 'before' and is commonly used in written communication.

in advance of