a previous age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period in the past, especially one that is significantly different from the present. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as historical writing, literature, or even personal narratives. Here is an example of how it can be used in a sentence: "In the previous age, people lived without electricity, relying on candles and firelight to illuminate their homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

In a previous age he would have been a missionary... or a martyr".

The Guardian

In a previous age, he would have called this "sharing the proceeds of austerity".

The Guardian - Opinion

The obvious comparison is with Charles Dickens, franchise juggernaut of a previous age.

The Guardian - Sport

It had the semi- fantasised stage musical sequences of a previous age.

The Guardian - Film

The BBC management in a previous age existed in another social and political context.

The Guardian

The unicorns are an extension of this and would have simply gone public earlier in a previous age.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

To further exclude an impact of blood cell composition of the analyzed LCL samples, especially important when comparing LCLs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) data from a previous aging study, we additionally excluded CpG sites revealing variability between naive B-cells (n = 3) and samples obtained from PBMC (n = 3; δ average β-value < 0.05).

Epigenetics

"I mean this in the fondest possible way," said Littlewood, "you could almost think, this is someone from a slightly previous age".

The Guardian

Nonetheless, fragile as his foundation in Italy was, it represented a move away from the anarchy of the previous age toward a new era of prosperity and hope for the future.

Britannica

A multivariate analysis that considered previous age, smoking, SaO2, and AISS showed that all variables except smoking and SaO2 were significantly associated with AMS (Table 4).

Clinical interventions in aging

The exhibition moves from artifacts reflecting ancient Romans' infatuation with Greek culture to the rediscovery of Pompeii by 18th-century Europeans, suggesting that every culture finds affirmation of its taste and sophistication in a previous golden age.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a previous age" to clearly distinguish a past period from the present, highlighting the differences in customs, technology, or social norms.

Common error

Avoid using "a previous age" when a more specific time frame is available. For instance, instead of saying "In a previous age, people traveled by horse", specify the era: "In the 19th century, people commonly traveled by horse".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous age" functions as a noun phrase, where "previous" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "age". It typically serves as an adverbial modifier, indicating a time frame that contrasts with the present, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous age" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a past time period, often to contrast it with the present. According to Ludwig, it serves to contextualize situations by placing them in an earlier era. While its register is generally neutral, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the era when possible. Alternatives such as "a bygone era" or "an earlier time" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bygone era

Uses "era" instead of "age", suggesting a more distinct and often romanticized period.

an earlier time

Replaces "previous age" with the more general "earlier time", suitable for less specific contexts.

a past epoch

Substitutes "age" with the more formal "epoch", indicating a significant historical period.

a former period

Similar to "earlier time", but uses "former" to emphasize that the period no longer exists.

previous times

Simple variation, using the plural form to refer to multiple instances in the past.

the old days

A more informal and nostalgic alternative, suitable for casual conversation.

a historical era

Focuses on the historical aspect of the past, often used in academic contexts.

days of yore

An archaic and literary alternative, evoking a sense of distant past.

a time long ago

Emphasizes the remoteness of the past, suitable for storytelling.

the past

A very general term that refers to anything that has happened before the present moment.

FAQs

How can I use "a previous age" in a sentence?

You can use "a previous age" to refer to a time period in the past, especially when contrasting it with the present. For example, "The technology available today is vastly different from that of "a previous age"".

What are some alternatives to "a previous age"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a bygone era", "an earlier time", or "a past epoch".

Is it correct to say "in a previous age"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "in a previous age". This prepositional phrase indicates that something existed or occurred during that past time period. For example, "In "a previous age", people communicated through letters".

What's the difference between "a previous age" and "the previous age"?

"A previous age" refers to any unspecified past period, while "the previous age" implies a specific, previously mentioned time period. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a general concept or a particular era.