Pre vs Post: Which Prefix to Use?

When it comes to the English language, prefixes can sometimes be tricky. We often hear the terms “pre” and “post” thrown around, but when do you use one over the other? Both are essential parts of the language, but they serve distinct purposes, and using the wrong one can lead to confusion.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between pre and post, look at examples in everyday situations (including emails), and help you get a better grasp on their use.

What Do “Pre” and “Post” Mean?

Before diving into examples, it’s important to understand the fundamental meanings behind these two prefixes.

• “Pre” comes from the Latin prefix prae, meaning “before.”
• “Post” comes from the Latin prefix post, meaning “after.”

So, “pre” refers to something that occurs before an event or situation, while “post” refers to something that happens after. Sounds simple enough, right? However, things get a bit more complex when you apply these prefixes to various contexts.

Using “Pre” Correctly

The “pre” prefix is used when referring to things that happen in advance or before a particular event or situation. It indicates that something is occurring before the expected or usual time. Let’s look at a few examples to make this clearer.

Scenario 1: Pre-meeting Email

Let’s say you’re scheduling a meeting with a colleague and you need to send an email before the meeting to prepare.

Email Example:

Subject: Pre-Meeting Preparation

Dear John,

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to send a quick note before our meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM. If possible, please review the preliminary agenda I’ve attached, as well as the pre-read materials on the project. It would be great if you could pre-plan some of the discussion points, so we can dive straight into the key topics during the meeting.

Looking forward to our discussion!

Best regards,
Sarah

In this email, terms like “preliminary”, “pre-read”, and “pre-plan” all refer to actions or materials that occur before the meeting.

Scenario 2: Pre-Order vs. Order

If you’ve ever shopped online, you might have encountered the term “pre-order”. When a product is available for pre-order, it means you can place an order before it officially becomes available. This is especially common with highly anticipated products, like a new phone or book release.

Example: You might see a website say:
“Pre-order your new iPhone today and receive it a week before it hits stores!”

This means you’re securing the product in advance, rather than waiting for it to be released and ordered in the usual way.

Using “Post” Correctly

On the flip side, the “post” prefix is used when referring to events or actions that occur after a particular event or situation. It’s all about timing that happens after the main event.

Scenario 1: Post-Meeting Email

Now, let’s look at a scenario where you send an email after the meeting has taken place. Here, you’d use “post” to refer to the follow-up.

Email Example:

Subject: Post-Meeting Follow-Up

Dear John,

Thank you for your time earlier today. I wanted to send a post-meeting recap to make sure we’re aligned on the next steps. As discussed, we’ll be moving forward with the new project plan, and I’ll be sending out the post-meeting notes by the end of the day. If you have any additional thoughts or questions, feel free to send them my way.

Thanks again,
Sarah

In this email, “post-meeting” and “post-meeting notes” indicate actions or information that occur after the meeting.

Scenario 2: Post-Event Review

Another common example of post usage is when you’re talking about post-event activities or reviews. After a conference, for instance, event organizers might request post-event surveys to gather feedback from attendees.

Example: “We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please fill out our post-event survey to help us improve future events.”

This indicates that the survey should be filled out after the event takes place.

Common Words and Phrases with “Pre” and “Post”

Let’s take a quick look at some common words that use these prefixes. Understanding these can help you get a feel for how these prefixes are used in different contexts.

Words with “Pre”

• Preliminary: Something that comes before the main event, like preliminary research or preliminary results.
• Preemptive: Taking action before something happens, like a preemptive strike.
• Prepaid: Paid before receiving a service, such as a prepaid phone plan.
• Prearranged: Something arranged in advance, like a prearranged meeting.
• Prejudiced: Holding an opinion before all the facts are known, like being prejudiced against someone based on their background.

Words with “Post”

• Postpone: To delay something to a later time, like postponing a meeting.
• Posthumous: Occurring or published after the death of the originator, such as posthumous awards.
• Postmortem: After death, often used in a metaphorical sense for examining or analyzing something that’s completed, like a postmortem analysis after a failed project.
• Postscript: An addition after the main body of a letter, often abbreviated as P.S..
• Postoperative: Referring to the period after surgery, like postoperative care.

Pre vs. Post: A Quick Reference Table

Prefix	Meaning	Used For	Example Words	Example Sentences
Pre	Before	Actions or events that occur before a specific event or time.	Preliminary, Pre-order, Pre-arranged	– I reviewed the preliminary results before the meeting. – You can pre-order the new book today.
Post	After	Actions or events that occur after a specific event or time.	Postpone, Post-event, Posthumous	– The meeting was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. – We’ll send out the post-event survey next week.

When to Use “Pre” and When to Use “Post”?

Knowing when to use “pre” or “post” can seem simple, but it depends on the context. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use “pre” when referring to anything that happens before a specific event or activity. This could be a preparation, arrangement, or an action taken in advance.
• Use “post” when referring to anything that happens after a specific event or activity. This could be a follow-up, result, or action taken after the fact.

Some Helpful Guidelines for Everyday Use

1. Emails: In professional communication, whether you’re sending a message before or after an event, remember the timing. Pre-event emails often contain preparations, reminders, or instructions, while post-event emails usually recap or follow up on the event.
2. Meetings: You might send a pre-meeting agenda, pre-reading materials, or preparation instructions beforehand. After the meeting, you might follow up with post-meeting notes or a post-meeting summary.
3. Shopping: Many online stores offer pre-ordering for products before they are officially available, and after you purchase something, you might receive a post-purchase email with order updates or tracking information.
4. Projects: You could have pre-planning sessions to prepare for a project, and once the project concludes, you might create a post-mortem report or a post-project review.

How “Pre” and “Post” Impact Our Communication

Using “pre” and “post” correctly not only helps you sound more precise but also makes communication clearer. When you use these prefixes properly, your audience can understand exactly when something is happening.

It helps you convey your ideas more efficiently, whether you’re sending an email, writing a report, or simply speaking to someone.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the use of prefixes like pre and post can make a huge difference in how clearly you communicate. With the simple rules laid out here, you’ll be able to use both prefixes with confidence in emails, meetings, projects, and more. Just remember: pre is for before, and post is for after!