What the opposite of successor?
We this first used Machine A for a certain function but now we sell the more modern Machine B for this. Machine B is the successor of Machine A. But if turn it around, how would you say that?

Machine A is the precursor of Machine B?

Is that a good word, precursor? I never heard it in this context so I am having some doubts.

Question

What the opposite of successor?
We this first used Machine A for a certain function but now we sell the more modern Machine B for this. Machine B is the successor of Machine A. But if turn it around, how would you say that?

Machine A is the precursor of Machine B?

Is that a good word, precursor? I never heard it in this context so I am having some doubts.

Answer

'Predecessor' would be the opposite of 'successor'. I'd usually only use them to talk about people, but I don't see why you can't use them here.

'Precursor' isn't used so often. In movies or TV shows they often call ancient races 'the Precursors'. I think if something is a precursor to something else, it existed an unspecified time before, whereas 'predecessor' implies it came directly before.

Answer

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/precursor?q=precursor

I'd say PRECURSOR is fine in the context.  Check the example above.
Good luck

Answers · 4

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