ctivnan
09/06/07, 07:17 PM
PRECEDE
is an adj referring to what comes 'immediately before';
can NOT be USED BEFORE an INDEFINITE ARTICLE (a, an...); EARLIER is an adv meaning 'before'.
NB
Precede is more precise than earlier.
e.g. You can go through the earlier section of the report.
You can go to the preceding section of the report.
(the section just before this one)
is an adj referring to what comes 'immediately before';
can NOT be USED BEFORE an INDEFINITE ARTICLE (a, an...); EARLIER is an adv meaning 'before'.
NB
Precede is more precise than earlier.
e.g. You can go through the earlier section of the report.
You can go to the preceding section of the report.
(the section just before this one)