the earlier of結構，是合同中經常使用的表達，起初接觸合同翻譯的夥伴，一定在這個結構的翻譯上琢磨過很長時間，掌握了其翻譯方法，一定會事半功倍。相似的表達還有the earliest of, the later of, 後面一般都是跟兩個或三個時間點，但是只以較早（對於兩個時間而言）、最早（對於三個時間點而言）等一個時間點為準，然後進行合同所述事宜。例句如下：（舉一反三很重要）
例句一
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and Licensee hereby accepts from Licensor, an exclusive, non-transferable and non-sublicensable license to use the Licensed Content in connection with websites associated with the Licensed Domain Names until the earlier of (i) termination or expiration of this Agreement, or (ii) termination or expiration of the Agency Agreement.
受制於本協議條款和條件的約束，許可方特此授予被許可方且被許可方特此接受許可方授予的獨家、不可轉讓和不得分許可的許可，以在下列時間（以較早發生的為準）之前：（i）本協議終止或期滿，或者（ii）《代理協議》終止或期滿，使用關於與許可域名相關的網站的許可內容。
例句二
If the Company shall default in making payment in full in respect of any Bonds, the Conversion Right attaching to such Bond will continue to be exercisable up to the earlier of (a) the close of business(at the place where the Bond is deposited for conversion) on the date upon which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Bond has been duly received bythe Bondholder, or (b)if such full amount has been received by the Paying Agent, on the date upon which noticeof such receipt has been duly given to the relevant Bondholder(s).
如果公司在全額支付關於任何債券的款項時出現違約，該等債券所附的轉換權仍然可繼續行使至（以下列較早發生的為準）：(a)在應當就該等債券全額支付的款項由債券持有人正式收到之日交易結束時（在該等債券為轉換而存放的地點），或(b)如果該等全額款項已經由付款代理方正式收到，該等收到款項的通知已經正式向相關債券持有人發出之日。