Previous and past
at the outset
from the outset
from the start
before
prior to …
Previously, …
previous experiments have been unsuccessful in …
an early sign or indication of …
… was noticeable early on
As stated earlier, …
in the past
already in …
two weeks, months, years etc. ago
over … ago
less than … ago
circa …
since the 1950s etc.
by the end of the nineteenth century
at the end of the sixteenth century
an or the era of …
… dates from …
We can date … to …
This method, though dated, has a number of advantages
… is now obsolete
Subsequent and future
after
immediately after
soon after
after a further 3 minutes etc.
the future of … is uncertain
in … days, months, years etc.
on schedule
the project is on schedule
… is scheduled or due to be completed in …
to postpone
at a later stage
to be on the verge of …
the predicted results
at the forthcoming conference on …
modern architecture, art etc.
a new generation of …
X was ahead of her or his time
X’s work, paper etc. anticipated the development, discovery etc. of …