a previous statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring back to something that was mentioned earlier in a conversation or text. Example: "In light of a previous statement I made about the project's timeline, I would like to clarify my position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This one comes after a previous statement was issued in August 2000.

The New York Times

Trump denied making a previous statement in which he said invading Afghanistan was a "terrible mistake".

The Guardian

In a previous statement the police said they had no knowledge of Ms. Gotbaum's personal problems.

The New York Times

In a previous statement, he said his client acted properly and followed established market practice.

The New York Times

Trump's decision not to publish the records is also confusing given a previous statement from his office.

The Guardian

Asked for comment by Reuters, Apple reiterated a previous statement by Jobs that "competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours".

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Alston visited Kenya last month and said in a previous statement that killings by the police were "systematic, widespread and carefully planned".

The New York Times

In a previous statement, Cambridge said at least one response from that professor had been sent in writing to Italian authorities.

The Guardian

In a previous statement, a lawyer for Mr. Jiampietro accused the Fed of appearing to use his client "as an industry scapegoat".

The New York Times

It is more difficult to testify because of the potential that the defendant will say something that contradicts a previous statement, opening up the defendant to cross-examination.

The New York Times

In a previous statement distributed by Leach's lawyers, Phy said that "no additional risks or harm were imposed on Adam by what he was asked to do".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "a previous statement" is generally suitable for most contexts, "a prior statement" might be more appropriate for formal or legal documents.

Common error

Avoid using "a previous statement" if the specific statement you're referring to is not easily identifiable. Provide enough context or use more specific language to avoid confusion. For example, instead of saying, "As mentioned in a previous statement", specify the date, source, or content of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous statement" functions as a determiner phrase acting as an adjective modifying the noun "statement". It identifies a particular statement based on its temporal relationship to the current context, as shown in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous statement" is a common and grammatically sound way to reference something that has been said or written earlier. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to provide enough context so your audience knows exactly which statement you're referencing. While alternatives like "an earlier remark" or "a prior comment" exist, "a previous statement" offers a versatile and generally applicable option for most writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an earlier statement

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the statement, emphasizing that it occurred at an earlier time.

a prior statement

Similar to "an earlier statement", but slightly more formal.

a foregoing statement

Emphasizes the sequential order of the statement in a document or discussion.

a preceding statement

Highlights the position of the statement in relation to the current point.

a past declaration

Uses the term "declaration" to emphasize the formal nature of the statement.

a former announcement

Uses "announcement" to indicate a public communication.

an earlier assertion

Emphasizes the confident and forceful nature of the statement.

a preliminary remark

Suggests the statement was made before further details were provided.

a previous communication

Broadens the scope to include any form of communication, not just formal statements.

a prior communication

More formal than previous communication.

FAQs

What does "a previous statement" mean?

The phrase "a previous statement" refers to something that has been said or written earlier. It's used to reference a prior communication or declaration.

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

You can use "a previous statement" to refer back to an earlier remark. For instance, "In light of "an earlier statement", we need to reconsider our position."

What are some alternatives to "a previous statement"?

Alternatives include "an earlier remark", "a prior comment", or "a foregoing statement" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a previous statement" or "an earlier statement"?

Both "a previous statement" and "an earlier statement" are correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Earlier" emphasizes the timing, while "previous" indicates a prior occurrence.