Prior

Question

It happened prior to my arrival.Here prior is an adjective or adv?Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

It's definitely not an adjective. (I guess I should have stayed out of this.)

If you take "prior to" as a phrase, it's synonymous with "before," which can work as an adverb or a preposition, if I'm not mistaken.

It happened before the flood. It happened prior to the flood.
These sound like prepositions to me, but do we have compound prepositions?

An adjective would be: "I liked the prior (earlier) version much better." (no "to")

It's tempting to say that "prior to" answers the question "when" and is therefore an adverb,
but on this basis we'd have to call "behind the bush" an adverb because it answers the question "where."

Edit. My American Heritage lists it only as an adjective. What can I say?

Avangi · Answer

Sorry for the late reply.
The MW Online lists "prior to" as a preposition! I'm saved, but not by the bell!

Preciousbunny · Answer

wow your answers help a lot ,thank u :-)

CalifJim · Answer

Avangido we have compound prepositions?

Yes, we do. Well, I'm sure I do. If you do too, then we do.

CJ

Prior

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