What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
precursory
Example
The precursory meeting was held to discuss the agenda for the upcoming conference. [precursory: adjective]
Example
She gave a precursory glance at the report before diving into the details. [precursory: adjective]
preliminary
Example
The team conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of the project. [preliminary: adjective]
Example
The preliminary round of the competition will be held next week. [preliminary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Preliminary is more commonly used than precursory in everyday language. Preliminary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while precursory is less common and typically used in more formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between precursory and preliminary?
Precursory is considered more formal than preliminary, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
