a previous auction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous auction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an auction that took place before the current one being discussed. Example: "The items sold at a previous auction were highly sought after, leading to increased interest in the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A previous auction brought in £200,000.

Independent

A previous auction held in June raised around £90,000.

The Guardian

On a previous auction appearance at Sotheby's in November 2000, the Braque had fetched $3.08 million.

The New York Times - Arts

The bills were sold at a yield of 3.251 percent, down from 6.504 percent at a previous auction in late November.

The New York Times

The current high bid on one of the sites, Caserma Masini, is 9.8 million euros, less than the 13.4 million euros that the government had set as a minimum in a previous auction effort.

The New York Times

The current high bid on one of the sites, Caserma Masini, is €9.8 million, less than the €13.4 million that the government had set as a minimum in a previous auction effort.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Could the third contemporary art auction of the week do well, considering that at Christie's on Wednesday night, paintings by Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat smashed all previous auction records?

The New York Times - Arts

On March 16th Portugal had to raise yields on a sale of 12-month government bills by 27 basis points compared with the previous auction a fortnight earlier.If Portugal did ask for help, it could prove another nasty moment for the euro area.

The Economist

Reuters reports: The Treasury sold the top planned amount of €3bn of its March 2024 bond at an average 4.5% yield, up from 4.46% at the previous auction a month ago and reflecting an almost 20 basis point jump in market yields in the last day or so.

The Guardian - Business

The sale of 14 Vettriano paintings took in $3.5 million, and the best-known work, "The Singing Butler," eclipsed the previous auction record for a Scottish painting, $750,000 in 2001 by a work by Samuel Joseph Peploe, The Associated Press reported.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite a backdrop of weakening growth in the euro zone, Italy on Tuesday was able to sell a slice of debt at a lower interest rate than at its previous auction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing results, specify details such as dates or items sold in "a previous auction" to provide context and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "last auction" when referring to any past auction that isn't necessarily the most recent. Use "a previous auction" to denote any auction that occurred before the one being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous auction" functions as a noun phrase, where 'previous' modifies 'auction'. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. It often serves to provide context by distinguishing a past event from a current or future one.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a previous auction" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to an auction that occurred before the present one. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and appropriateness for both formal and informal contexts. It is most frequently found in news and business reports, serving to provide context, compare results, and offer background information. When using this phrase, ensure you provide relevant details to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives such as "an earlier auction" or "a prior auction" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an earlier auction

Replaces "previous" with "earlier", indicating a time difference.

a prior auction

Uses "prior" instead of "previous", suggesting an event that came before.

a past auction

Substitutes "previous" with "past", denoting a time in the past.

the preceding auction

Employs "preceding" to emphasize the auction that immediately came before.

the last auction

Specifies the most recent auction before the current one.

an initial auction

Highlights the auction that started a series or sequence.

a former auction

Indicates an auction that occurred in the past but is no longer ongoing.

a concluded auction

Focuses on the completed state of an auction that happened earlier.

a completed auction

Emphasizes the finished nature of the prior sales event.

an earlier sale

Broadens the context to any type of sale event before the current one, not exclusively auctions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a previous auction" to refer to an auction that took place before the current one you are discussing. For example, "The prices at "a previous auction" were significantly lower than today's."

What's the difference between "a previous auction" and "the last auction"?

"A previous auction" refers to any auction that happened before the present one. "The last auction" specifically indicates the most recent auction before the current one.

What can I say instead of "a previous auction"?

Alternatives include "an earlier auction", "a prior auction", or "a past auction", depending on the context.

Is "a previous auction" formal or informal?

"A previous auction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a neutral phrase commonly used in various types of writing and conversation.