a previous understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an agreement or comprehension that existed before a certain point in time. Example: "We need to revisit a previous understanding we had regarding the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That upended a previous understanding by Kindle customers, who were used to paying only $9.99 for an e-book.

The New York Times

He said he scuttled a previous understanding between the Giants and Donald T. DiFrancesco, then the acting governor, under which the team would have gotten the stadium for $1 and the state would pay for more renovations.

The New York Times - Sports

Her lawyers have said that she sold shares pursuant to a previous understanding with her broker Peter Bacanovic Peter Bacanovic to sell when the price of ImClone systems fell below $60.

Forbes

This lends itself to the following solution: the filibuster is inoperative when one party violates a previous understanding relating to the filibuster.

Huffington Post

We are not aware of other studies on student thinking concerning these facets, but it is probable that the students in this study had a previous understanding of these facets that had been developed in other contexts.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is that if the Paralympics achieve another of his ideals, by relentless examination of the precise help provided by prosthetics and a mass of categories which are inevitably arbitrary and in some instances just plain convenient, a perfectly balanced contest, they will have flown beyond all previous understanding of the realities of sport.

Independent

This group was characterised by a lack of previous understanding of the link between sexual activity and cervical cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

These accusations manipulate the reader's previous understanding of a terrifying setting and bend it in such a way that destabilizes the whole foundation of our memories and expectations of aesthetic experience.

Vice

Yet the move appeared to abrogate the previous understanding that a yet-to-be-formed assembly of perhaps 300 representative Iraqis would themselves select a provisional national authority to fill ministerial posts.

The Economist

If the Song et al. theory is correct and its effect on tsunami height is of the magnitude they claim, it would highlight a major gap in our previous understanding of tsunami generation.

Earth, Planets and Space

This represents a marked departure from our previous understanding of auditory processing in the mammalian brain, and opens up new lines of investigation into the functioning of the auditory system in health and disease.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a previous understanding", ensure that the context clearly establishes what that understanding was and when it was in effect. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience is aware of the "previous understanding". Always provide sufficient context or a brief reminder to ensure everyone is on the same page. Lack of context can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a prior agreement, knowledge, or comprehension, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous understanding" is a noun phrase used to refer to an agreement, knowledge, or comprehension that existed at an earlier point in time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in a variety of sources, ranging from news media to scientific publications. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in neutral to formal contexts. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the context makes clear what the understanding was, as well as when it was in effect, to prevent any potential ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a prior agreement" or "a pre-existing agreement" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prior agreement

Replaces "understanding" with "agreement", emphasizing a formal arrangement.

a pre-existing agreement

Uses "pre-existing" to highlight the agreement's establishment before a certain point.

a former arrangement

Substitutes "understanding" with "arrangement", suggesting a settled plan or agreement.

an earlier consensus

Emphasizes a collectively reached agreement or shared opinion.

a prior awareness

Focuses on a pre-existing state of being informed or conscious of something.

a pre-established notion

Highlights a concept or belief that was already fixed or determined.

an initial perception

Emphasizes the first impression or way of regarding something.

a preliminary grasp

Implies an initial or incomplete understanding of a topic.

a basic familiarity

Suggests a superficial or introductory level of understanding.

a starting point

Downplays the understanding itself and instead describes the origin of the understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "a previous understanding" to refer to an agreement or comprehension that existed before a certain point. For example: "We need to clarify "a previous understanding" regarding project deliverables."

What are some alternatives to "a previous understanding"?

Alternatives include "a prior agreement", "a pre-existing agreement", or "a former arrangement", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a prior understanding" or "a previous understanding"?

Both "a prior understanding" and ""a previous understanding"" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Prior" often implies a logical or chronological precedence, while "previous" simply indicates something that came before.

What's the difference between "a misunderstanding" and "a previous understanding"?

"A misunderstanding" refers to a failure to understand something correctly, leading to confusion or disagreement. In contrast, ""a previous understanding"" refers to an agreement or comprehension that existed at an earlier time.