prior to含義：從前的；在……之前；在之前。用法是：
1、Late applications must be submitted at least four months prior to the beginning of a term and will beeviewed.
遲到的申請書必須在新學期開始前的四個月前呈交上來，以便進行核查。
2、Two of the three fires occurred when Ford employees were driving the car prior to their delivery to customers.
有兩次自燃都發生在向顧客交車之前，也就是說當時是福特的員工在駕駛汽車。
詞義辨析
previous，foregoing，preceding，prior，former這些形容詞均可表示“在前的”之意。
previous指時間上、順序上較早的，或指正在談論的某事的前壹個。
foregoing指前所述的，是following的反義詞。
preceding特指時間和地位上緊接在前。
prior與previous同義，常可換用，但prior有時強調更大的重要性，對比意味強。
former系latter的反義詞，比prior更著重對比。