precede

/prɪˈsiːd/ (bre, ipa) · /prɪˈsiːd/ (ame, ipa) · /pri-ˈsēd/ (ame, mw)

precede — verb

  • precedepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • precedeshe / she / it
  • precededpast simple
  • preceding-ing form

1. to happen earlier than something else, or to be placed in front of it in order o

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to happen earlier than something else, or to be placed in front of it in order or position

例句

A loud bell preceded the runners' start at the school sports day.

event comes before a main action

In the book, a map precedes the first chapter.

order in a text or book

同義詞
  • come before

    more neutral and much more common in everyday English

  • lead

    often used for moving in front of a group or line

  • happen before

    used only for time, not physical order

  • go ahead of

    slightly less formal and often physical

反義詞

文法句型

precede something

be preceded by something

用法筆記

Common with events, years, chapters, titles, and people in a line. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes what comes first, not the act of adding an opening remark or piece of text.

常見錯誤

❌The speech preceded before dinner.
✅The speech preceded dinner.
💡'precede' already includes the idea of coming before.
❌Please precede to the next page.
✅Please proceed to the next page.
💡'precede' means come earlier or be in front; 'proceed' means continue.

2. to place a short remark, action, or text before something else so that it begins

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to place a short remark, action, or text before something else so that it begins in a particular way

例句

Professor Lee preceded the lecture with a joke about exam season.

pattern: precede something with something

The prize announcement was preceded by a minute of silence.

passive: be preceded by introductory action

同義詞
  • introduce

    broader and less formal; not limited to what comes first

  • preface

    formal and especially common in writing or planned speech

  • open with

    more conversational and common in speech

文法句型

precede something with something

用法筆記

Only sense that regularly takes the pattern 'precede X with Y'. The first object is usually a talk, question, chapter, report, film, or event, and the second part is the opening material added before it.

常見錯誤

❌The host preceded the show by a joke.
✅The host preceded the show with a joke.
💡use 'with' to name the thing added first.
❌She preceded that the plan was risky.
✅She preceded her warning with a joke.
💡this sense does not take a that-clause.