a previous happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or occurrence that took place before the current moment or context. Example: "The investigation revealed that a previous happening had significant implications for the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are not familiar with any previous happening on such a scale," Kjartan Knutsen, an official at the Nature Inspectorate, part of the Norwegian Environment Agency, said in a phone interview on Monday.

The New York Times

Weld plays the professor's fiancée's preppy daughter from a previous marriage who happens to have been kept a secret from him and the gimcrack accent she adopts, from the start, as a faux tough cookie takes off from where "Bringing Up Baby" left off (with Katharine Hepburn in prison, impersonating a hardnosed moll).

The New Yorker

Additionally, this teach-in was especially important in light of a previous event that happened on campus that essentially discussed how black women should adhere to pro-life ideology.

Princeton University

Such neurons may be activated by location-scene specific cues that may be common to multiple scene stimuli and may have been trained in a previous session but happen to be recorded in another session where the cues to which they respond are no longer reinforced.

Hippocampus

Thus the scene had proven that both Glenn and Aiden were shown to be good with each other, since after their previous altercation happening after a supply run.

Huffington Post

On a previous occasion when that happened in 2006, Hamas's military wing was a willing buyer of weapons.

The Economist

I have only seen comments like this for a previous preceptor who also happened to be a Navy SEAL and brought an experience into the classroom that few could match.

Princeton University

As it happens, a previous study by this research team showed no significant increase in psychological risk when adults whose parents had Alzheimer's disease received the results of genetic testing for a possible risk factor.

The New York Times

As we have already seen in a previous study [1], this happens in poly 3-hexylthiophene) (poly 3-hexylthiophenel C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT) solid blends, in which the coherent contribution andsing from the PCBM crystalline phase seems to affect the interpretation of the polymer dynamics.

Polymer

As it happens, a previous study by this research team showed no significant increase in psychological risk when adults whose parents had Alzheimer's disease received the results of APOE genotyping, compared with a control group of those with similar family history who didn't learn their results.

The New York Times

In a previous blog I covered what happens when performance hijacks occur.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "a previous happening" is grammatically correct, consider whether a more common and specific term like "event", "incident", or "occurrence" would improve clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a previous happening" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and widely accepted terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous happening" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Although Ludwig AI indicates it's usable, it's not the most common way to express the concept. It refers to an event or occurrence that took place at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a previous happening" is grammatically correct but uncommon. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While understandable, it may lack the clarity and impact of more specific alternatives. Consider replacing it with phrases like "a prior event" or "an earlier occurrence" for improved writing. Its infrequent use suggests that more precise and widely accepted terms would generally be preferable, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prior event

Replaces "happening" with the more formal "event" and "previous" with "prior", indicating a slightly more elevated tone.

an earlier occurrence

Substitutes "previous" with "earlier" and "happening" with "occurrence", offering a more common and straightforward alternative.

a past incident

Uses "past" instead of "previous" and "incident" for "happening", suggesting a possibly negative or noteworthy event.

a preceding event

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", emphasizing the chronological order of events.

a former occurrence

Similar to 'an earlier occurrence' but with a slightly different nuance in formality.

a prior situation

Emphasizes the context or circumstances surrounding a past event.

a previous situation

More casual and refers to previous circumstances

an earlier episode

Suggests that it was one event in a range of events

a past experience

Can bring a higher emotional charge to the topic, makes it about personal history

a foregoing instance

A much more elevated way of talking about it, is generally not used in everyday conversations

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "a prior event", "an earlier occurrence", or "a past incident" depending on the context.

Is "a previous happening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a previous happening" is grammatically correct, but it's not the most common or impactful way to phrase the idea. Consider using stronger synonyms.

In what contexts is "a previous happening" most appropriate?

While not strongly favored in any particular context, "a previous happening" might be suitable in general conversational settings where a more specific term isn't necessary. However, even then, a clearer alternative is usually preferable.

How can I make my writing sound more formal than "a previous happening"?

To sound more formal, replace "a previous happening" with phrases like "a prior event" or "a preceding event". These options elevate the tone of your writing.