It’s Time to Blacklist “Prior to.”

Dear Legal Writer:

“Prior to” is NOT a good synonym for “before” in legal writing.

It’s stiff.
It’s stilted.
It’s stuffy.

🔻 “Prior to” will not make you sound smarter than “before.”

🔻 “Prior to” will not impress your reader more than “before.”

And, even if “prior to” did achieve those goals, “sounding” smart and “impressing” your Reader should never be goals.

⭐️ Your goal should be clarity above all else—with simplicity and conciseness next. To attain these goals, you’ll gain nothing from using “prior to.”

🔹 “Before” means the same thing as “prior to.”

🔹 Writing “before” instead of “prior to” does not change meaning.

🔹 Writing “prior to” is less concise, less simple, and less direct.

In fact, I struggle to think of any sentence that would be better with “prior to” instead of “before.”

🗳️ Are there legal practice areas in which “prior to” means something different or more precise than “before”?

Would you all please let me know?

Beyond exceptions your responses may cause,
on my blacklist, “prior to” will go!

🗳️ What think you?

Fondly,
💌 Amanda

#lawstudents
#lawyers
#Dear1L
#legalwriting

As Robert Browning suggested, “Less is more.”