Noun + に先立って

[Prior to / Before / In advance of]

Connection: Noun + に先立って

Usage: Indicates doing something before an important event or action. More formal than 前に and implies preparation or precedence. Often used in business, official contexts, and news.

Variations:

• に先立って (clause connector)
• に先立ち (formal written form)
• に先立つ + Noun (modifying)

Similar expressions:

• 前に = before (general, casual)
• に先立って = prior to (formal, implies preparation)

Examples:

会議に先立って、資料を配布してください。(Prior to the meeting, please distribute the materials.)

開会に先立ち、会長からご挨拶があります。(Prior to the opening, there will be a greeting from the chairman.)

発売に先立って、試食会が行われた。(Prior to the product launch, a tasting event was held.)