be preceded by：在...之前是，在……之前有
这个搭配表示“在...之前”。它通常用于描述某个事件或状态之前发生的另一个事件或状态。例如，
The concert was preceded by a reception.
音乐会之前有一个接待会。
在这个句子中，“be preceded by”准确地描述了接待会和音乐会之间的先后顺序。
The announcement was preceded by a long period of silence.
宣布之前有一段长时间的沉默。
The course will be preceded by a short introduction to the topic.
课程开始之前将有一个关于这个话题的简短介绍。
The earthquake was preceded by a loud roar and lasted for a long time.
地震前有一阵巨大的轰隆声，持续了很久。
They were preceded by mounted cowboys.
他们前面是骑马的牛仔们。
His resignation was preceded by weeks of speculation.
在他辞职之前，有关的猜测已持续了几个星期。
The speech was preceded by a short film about the history of the company.
演讲前播放了一部关于公司历史的短片。
The main course was preceded by an appetizer and soup.
主菜之前有开胃菜和汤。
The Speaker is preceded by the mace-bearer upon his entry to the chamber.
当议长走进议事厅的时候，前面由执议长权标的人开路。