a previous request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request that was made earlier in a conversation or correspondence. Example: "I would like to follow up on a previous request regarding the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The judge replied that a previous request had already been forwarded to Pakistani authorities but that there had been no response.

The New York Times

2.28pm BST As mentioned earlier, the Kremlin said previously that Snowden had withdrawn a previous request for asylum in Russia after Vladimir Putin said he would be welcome only if he stopped "his work aimed at bringing harm" to the United States.

The Guardian

Correction: January 3 , 2003 Friday Because of an editing error, an article in Business Day on Wednesday about opposition by the machinists' union at United Airlines to a demand for short-term wage concessions referred incorrectly to the employees who rejected a previous request for cutbacks, in November.

The New York Times

A previous request for a public inquiry into the decision was turned down.

BBC

The report recommended against a previous request extending the length of copyright to an even longer 95 years, matching the US term.

TechCrunch

When the judge denied the motion for mistrial, Nurmi renewed a previous request for himself and co-counsel Jennifer Willmott to withdraw from the case.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Iteratively, the occurrence time of the follow-up request a i was determined based on the arrival time of the previous request a i −1.

Computers and Operations Research

Neither Pirelli nor Mercedes informed the other teams of the test, apparently thinking that a previous general request to the teams asking for assistance in tyre testing was sufficient.

BBC

Mr. Hanger and Mr. Popowsky had both been critical of GPU's previous request for a $316 million rate increase to cover its losses in the wholesale power market, saying the company had created its own problems by selling off generating plants and not signing long-term contracts at fixed prices.

The New York Times

The row began after staff working for the shadow Communities Secretary, Hilary Benn, tried to obtain details of talks between ministers, advisers and officials about their handling of a previous FOI request to the department.

Independent

However, a previous FOI request by Pulse revealed a sharp increase in the number of practices approaching NHS managers for formal advice about closing: 169 made such requests between April and December last year – compared with just 37 in a year between April 2013 and March 2014.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to "a previous request", clearly specify what the request was about to avoid confusion, especially if multiple requests have been made. For example: "Following up on a previous request for project budget approval, I'm resending the proposal."

Common error

Avoid vague references to "a previous request" without providing context. Ensure the recipient knows exactly which request you're referring to by including dates, subject lines, or key details from the original request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous request" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. The phrase identifies a request that occurred before the current moment or topic of discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a previous request" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to refer to a request made at an earlier time. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While "an earlier request" and "a prior request" serve as effective alternatives, maintaining clarity by specifying the details of the original request is crucial. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Ensure precision in referencing past requests to avoid ambiguity and enhance effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An earlier request

Replaces "previous" with "earlier", emphasizing the time aspect.

A prior request

Uses "prior" as a synonym for "previous", indicating something that came before.

A preceding request

Employs "preceding" to denote a request that immediately came before the current one.

A former request

Uses "former" instead of "previous", which may imply the request is no longer active or relevant.

A past request

Replaces "previous" with "past" indicating that the request originated sometime ago

A last request

Uses "last" which could imply that there will be no further requests.

A previous demand

Replaces "request" with "demand", suggesting a more forceful or insistent request.

A previous appeal

Uses "appeal" instead of "request", often used in more formal or urgent situation.

A previous application

Replaces "request" with "application", which implies a formal written submission for something.

A recurring request

Instead of saying it's previous you are saying that it's repetitive

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a previous request" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "an earlier request" or "a prior request". These options maintain the meaning but elevate the formality.

What's a simple alternative to "a previous request"?

A simpler alternative is "an earlier request". It's direct and easy to understand in most contexts.

Is it better to say "previous request" or "prior request"?

Both "previous request" and "prior request" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Prior request" might sound slightly more formal, but the choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic consistency.

When should I specify the date of "a previous request"?

Always specify the date of "a previous request" if there's a chance of confusion, especially if multiple requests have been made. This ensures clarity and helps avoid misunderstandings.