に先立って — Ahead of the Event
Expresses that some preparatory action is taken prior to, or in advance of, a significant event. It is a formal, written expression used for notable occasions such as ceremonies, launches, or trips — not for everyday 'before'. It stresses that what follows is done specifically in anticipation of the coming event.
Structure
[Noun / Verb dictionary form] + に先立って／に先立ち（に先立つ + Noun）
Examples
開会に先立って、市長が挨拶をした。
Kaikai ni sakidatte, shichou ga aisatsu wo shita.
Prior to the opening, the mayor gave a speech.
Noun 開会 (opening) + に先立って marks the speech as a preparatory act before the event
新製品の発売に先立ち、記者会見が開かれた。
Shinseihin no hatsubai ni sakidachi, kishakaiken ga hirakareta.
Ahead of the new product's release, a press conference was held.
に先立ち is the more formal continuative form used in writing
海外出張に先立つ準備は大変だった。
Kaigai shutchou ni sakidatsu junbi wa taihen datta.
The preparations preceding the overseas business trip were tough.
に先立つ + Noun modifies 準備 (preparations that precede the trip)
• Register: formal and written; common in news, announcements, and ceremonies. • Use for significant events, not trivial daily actions — say 食べる前に (before eating), never 食べるに先立って. • に先立ち is the continuative (mid-sentence) form; に先立つ + Noun is the attributive form.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones に先立って is tested against.
vs 前に
前に is neutral and used for any 'before' including everyday actions; に先立って is formal and reserved for advance preparation before major events.
vs に先駆けて
に先駆けて means 'ahead of others / earlier than the rest' (pioneering), while に先立って simply means 'prior to' in a time sequence.
More time expressions
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