a previous investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an investigation that took place before the current one being discussed. Example: "The findings of a previous investigation revealed significant discrepancies in the data collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A previous investigation of another circus showed tigers and lionesses being beaten.

The Guardian

May: Jill Kelley reaches out to an FBI agent she knows from a previous investigation.

The Guardian

A previous investigation had found that in 1960 ABKCO had failed to file tax returns.

Independent

The result is a generalization of a previous investigation [1, Chester 1983].

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In conjunction with a previous investigation [Jung SH, Yoon DY, Kang SJL.

Acta Materialia

Sgt. James Dingeldein, the spokesman for the Park Police, said only that the search warrant stemmed from a previous investigation.

The Washington Post

Five FE models were developed based on experimental tests conducted by the authors in a previous investigation.

Computers & Structures

In a previous investigation, three Fe-Cr alloys with various Cr contents were examined in 0.5-M H2SO4.

Electrochimica Acta

The numerical study of cluster structures has been validated with experimental results from literature in a previous investigation.

Chemical Engineering Science

The CMA also said there was a need for improvement to the seven-day switching service (CASS) introduced in 2013 in response to a previous investigation.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Soares conducted a previous investigation, whose findings were released in September, that largely exonerated the governor, but his office did not conduct interviews under oath then.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing "a previous investigation", ensure you clearly state the subject and, if possible, the outcome of that investigation for context.

Common error

Avoid using "a previous investigation" without providing enough detail about its nature or purpose, which can lead to confusion or ambiguity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous investigation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is often used as a subject or object in a sentence, providing context about an earlier inquiry, as showcased by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous investigation" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to an inquiry or study that occurred before the present one. As Ludwig's AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and used in a variety of contexts, including science, news media, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is crucial to be clear about the scope and subject of the prior investigation to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "a prior inquiry" or "an earlier analysis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The high frequency of this phrase, combined with its presence in authoritative sources, underscores its importance in academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prior inquiry

Replaces "investigation" with "inquiry", suggesting a more formal or official examination.

a former inquiry

Similar to "a prior inquiry", but using "former" emphasizes that the inquiry is no longer active.

a preceding examination

Substitutes "previous" with "preceding" and "investigation" with "examination", indicating a formal review.

an earlier analysis

Uses "earlier" instead of "previous" and "analysis" in place of "investigation", implying a detailed study.

a past study

Replaces "previous investigation" with a more general term, referring to any kind of study conducted in the past.

an initial review

Like "a preliminary assessment", suggests an initial look into a matter.

a preliminary assessment

Indicates an initial evaluation or assessment conducted before the current one.

a historical review

Suggests an examination of past events or records relevant to the current investigation.

a background check

Implies a specific type of investigation focused on someone's history or credentials.

a pilot study

Refers to a small-scale study conducted before a larger, more comprehensive investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a previous investigation" to refer to an inquiry or study that took place before the one currently being discussed. For example: "A previous investigation into the matter yielded inconclusive results."

What are some alternatives to using "a previous investigation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a prior inquiry", "an earlier analysis", or "a past study".

Is it necessary to cite "a previous investigation" in academic writing?

Yes, if you're referencing findings or conclusions from "a previous investigation", it's crucial to cite it properly to give credit to the original source and avoid plagiarism.

What's the difference between "a previous investigation" and "a current investigation"?

"A previous investigation" refers to an inquiry that has already been completed, while "a current investigation" is one that is ongoing or presently underway.