the earlier of 结构，是合同中经常使用的表达，起初接触合同翻译的伙伴，一定在这个结构的翻译上琢磨过很长时间，掌握了其翻译方法，一定会事半功倍。相似的表达还有the earliest of, the later of, 后面一般都是跟两个或三个时间点，但是只以较早（对于两个时间而言）、最早（对于三个时间点而言）等一个时间点为准，然后进行合同所述事宜。例句如下：（举一反三很重要）

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-sub licensable 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.

受制于本协议条款和条件的约束，许可方特此授予被许可方且被许可方特此接受许可方授予的独家、不可转让和不得分许可的许可，以在下列时间（以较早发生的为准）之前：（i）本协议终止或期满，或者（ii）《代理协议》终止或期满，使用关于与许可域名相关的网站的许可内容。

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 by the Bondholder, or (b)if such full amount has been received by the Paying Agent, on the date upon which notice of such receipt has been duly given to the relevant Bondholder(s).

如果公司在全额支付关于任何债券的款项时出现违约，该等债券所附的转换权仍然可继续行使至（以下列较早发生的为准）：(a)在应当就该等债券全额支付的款项由债券持有人正式收到之日交易结束时（在该等债券为转换而存放的地点），或(b)如果该等全额款项已经由付款代理方正式收到，该等收到款项的通知已经正式向相关债券持有人发出之日。