“preface” vs. “precede”

Question

An ELL post demonstrates the usage of "preface" when talking about words orders.

This may well be my regional preference, though I couldn't quickly find any written examples where options are listed prefaced by "alternate".

Which fits the meaning of it on the Cambridge Dictionary.

an introduction at the beginning of a book explaining its purpose, thanking people who helped the author, etc.

Another example from the Cambridge Dictionary demonstrates the usage of "precede" for the similar situation

Verbs usually precede objects in English.

I understand the meanings of them. I’d just like to know whether they are interchangeable for this particular situation.

Verbs usually preface objects in English.

Do they mean the same thing when talking about words orders?

Answer 1

No, they're not interchangeable. "Prefaced" means that one thing introduces another. "Precedes" means that it comes before, with no implication of introduction.

In your first example, "preface" works because "alternate" conditions the meaning of "options". You wouldn't use "preface" in your second example unless the verb in question changed the usual meaning of the "object".