a previous survey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous survey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a survey that was conducted before the current one being discussed. Example: "The results of a previous survey indicated a significant increase in customer satisfaction over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was up from 29percentt when Jupiter made a previous survey in September.

The New York Times

A previous survey, in 2002, had found that 5.5% of Angolan adults had HIV.

The Economist

Bartels found a similar effect in a previous survey, in which well-informed Democrats were asked whether inflation had gone down during Ronald Reagan's Presidency.

The New Yorker

A third said simply: "Wanting to change the world!" Perhaps significantly, though, a previous survey in 2008 found that 82% were happy - almost a third more.

The Guardian

In a previous survey of 1,358 Internet users, conducted from March 1 to May 20, 29percentt said they had downloaded music.

The New York Times

The Tories are unchanged on 37% in the constituency, while Labour has dropped back one point to 36%, since a previous survey in March.

The Guardian

The study follows on from a previous survey by Unesco published in 2010, which reported on incidents in just 30 countries.

The Guardian

They then compared that data with the results of a previous survey in which hotel owners were asked to name their direct competitors.

The Economist

It notes that most results are roughly the same as in a previous survey of the Met's officers, two years earlier.

The Guardian

Participants: Of 330 subjects with SCI reporting chronic pain in a previous survey, 217 volunteered.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Design: Postal survey; follow-up to a previous survey conducted 6 months earlier.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always cite "a previous survey" accurately to give credit to the original researchers and to allow readers to verify the information.

Common error

Avoid simply mentioning "a previous survey" without providing enough detail about it. Always include enough information for readers to understand which survey you are referring to and why it is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous survey" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, acting as an adjectival modifier specifying the type of survey being discussed. It modifies a noun by indicating that the survey occurred before the current context or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous survey" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to earlier research or data collection. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings, denoting studies conducted before the current discussion. When using this phrase, specificity is crucial, and proper citation is essential to maintain credibility. Alternatives include "an earlier survey" or "a prior survey", offering slight variations in tone while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an earlier survey

This alternative uses 'earlier' instead of 'previous', indicating a point further back in time.

a prior survey

Replaces 'previous' with 'prior', conveying the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

a past survey

Uses 'past' instead of 'previous', suggesting a survey that occurred in the past.

a preceding survey

Employs 'preceding', emphasizing that the survey came before the current one.

a former survey

Substitutes 'previous' with 'former', indicating that the survey is no longer the current one.

an earlier study

Replaces 'survey' with 'study', broadening the context to include other types of research.

a historical survey

Uses 'historical' to highlight that the survey belongs to a past time period.

a retrospective survey

Implies looking back at events or situations that have already happened.

a preliminary survey

Suggests an initial or preparatory survey conducted before a more comprehensive one.

the initial survey

This refers to the survey that was carried out at the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a previous survey" to refer to a study conducted earlier, like in the sentence: "According to "a previous study", the trend is likely to continue."

What are some alternatives to "a previous survey"?

Alternatives include "an earlier survey", "a prior survey", or "a past survey". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it necessary to cite "a previous survey"?

Yes, it is crucial to cite "a previous survey" to give credit to the original source and maintain academic integrity. Proper citation also allows readers to find and verify the information.

What details should I include when referring to "a previous survey"?

When referencing "a previous survey", include the author(s), year of publication, the main purpose of the survey, and any relevant findings that support your argument. This provides necessary context and credibility.