What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prior
Example
Please let me know your availability prior to the meeting. [prior: preposition]
Example
The prior experience of the candidate was impressive. [prior: adjective]
Example
The prior of the monastery was responsible for overseeing the daily operations. [prior: noun]
previous
Example
I had a meeting with the client the previous day. [previous: adjective]
Example
The previous version of the software had some bugs. [previous: adjective]
Example
The previous manager left the company last year. [previous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Previous is more commonly used than prior in everyday language. Prior is often used in formal or technical contexts and may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prior and previous?
Prior is generally considered more formal than previous. It is often used in legal, academic, or business contexts to convey importance or priority.
