Precede
Herald
Synonyms: Go/come before, lead up to, pave the way for, set the scene for, introduce, antecede, antedate, prevene, go in advance of, lead to, prepare the way for, herald, usher in, predate, and forego.
Go first
Synonyms: Go ahead of, go before, lead the way, go in front of, and go first.
Begin
Synonyms: Preface, introduce, open, prefix, begin, and launch.
Example Sentences
The introduction will precede the speech.
A brief pause will precede the announcement.
The event will precede the celebration.
The appetizers will precede the main course.
His actions precede his words often.