“Prior to Doing Something”用法详解
什么是 “Prior to doing sth”？
“Prior to doing something” 是一个常见的英语表达，意为“在做某事之前”。它通常用于正式或书面语境中，相当于更口语化的 “before doing something”。
例句： Prior to submitting your application, please review all documents carefully.
（在提交申请之前，请仔细检查所有文件。）
结构与用法
“Prior to” 后面必须接名词、代词或动名词（即动词的 -ing 形式），不能直接接动词原形。
- ✅ 正确：Prior to leaving, she locked the door.
- ❌ 错误：Prior to leave, she locked the door.
这是因为 “to” 在这里是介词，不是不定式符号，所以后面要接名词性成分。
常见同义替换
在不同语境中，你可以使用以下表达替代 “prior to doing sth”：
- Before + 动名词：Before leaving, she locked the door.
- Before + 主语 + 动词：Before she left, she locked the door.
- Previously to + 动名词（较罕见且正式）
提示：“Prior to” 比 “before” 更正式，多用于学术写作、法律文书或商务邮件中。
实用例句
- Prior to attending the meeting, he prepared a detailed report.
- You must complete the training prior to starting your new role.
- Prior to making a decision, consider all possible outcomes.
常见错误提醒
许多学习者容易混淆 “prior to” 和 “to + 动词原形” 的结构。记住：
- “Prior to” = 介词短语 → 后接名词/动名词
- “To” 作不定式 → 后接动词原形（如：I want to go）
✅ She studied hard prior to taking the exam.
❌ She studied hard prior to take the exam.