expression
previously; already; for some time
Indicates that something has been the case or planned from an earlier point up to now. Often used in formal or written contexts to emphasize prior awareness or preparation.
かねてより準備してきた計画を実行に移す時が来た。
The time has come to put into action the plan we have been preparing for some time.
彼の才能はかねてより高く評価されていた。
His talent had been highly regarded for some time.
前もって is a more common, everyday word for 'in advance' or 'beforehand', while かねてより is more formal and often implies a longer duration or prior state.
あらかじめ also means 'beforehand' but is neutral in register and focuses on doing something in preparation; かねてより emphasizes that something has been the case for a while.
Derived from the adverb かねて (previously) combined with the particle より (from), literally 'from before'. The kanji spellings 予て and 兼ねて are ateji.