GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜に先立って
Indicates performing a necessary action before an important event or procedure begins.
Examples
会議に先立って、資料を会員に配った。
Prior to the meeting, we distributed the materials to the members.
Words used
開会に先立って、注意事項を説明します。
Before the opening, I will explain the precautions.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
に先立ってfollows an event or procedure and marks an associated action carried out before it begins. - Basic usage:
会議に先立って、資料を会員に配った。says that materials were distributed before the meeting began.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- An occasion marker versus explicit sequence
開会に際してmarks the occasion of opening, whereas開会に先立ってexplicitly places the action before it.先立ってalone does not say how many minutes or days earlier.
- The noun-modifying form
会議に先立つ説明is a noun phrase meaning an explanation preceding the meeting. Linking先立ってdiffers from先立つ, which directly modifies a noun.