an earlier interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an earlier interview" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a previous interview that took place before the current context or discussion. Example: "In an earlier interview, the candidate discussed their experience in project management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She described him in an earlier interview as "trying to make the straight and narrow".

The New York Times

He acknowledged in an earlier interview that those clients are now in a fix.

The New York Times

In an earlier interview with The Times, he noted that Snapchat offered no promise of security.

The New York Times

"I also believe hybrids don't have to be boring," Mr. Fisker said in an earlier interview.

The New York Times

But in an earlier interview, he characterized the protesters as "annoyed urbanites".

The New York Times

"It's far from over," Dr. Mandeville said in an earlier interview.

The New York Times

"We learned our lesson," Mr. Lhota told The Times in an earlier interview.

The New York Times

"Rudy's a very good friend of mine," he told ABC News in an earlier interview.

The New York Times

In an earlier interview, the erstwhile blond bombshell was equally strident.

The Guardian - Film

"The military officers would come to my house," she told Guardian Australia in an earlier interview.

The Guardian

What follows are excerpts from the interview in Paris and from an earlier interview conducted with the International Herald Tribune.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an earlier interview", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the earlier interview is and why it is relevant to the current discussion. Providing specific details, such as the date or publication, can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "an earlier interview" without providing sufficient context. If the audience is unfamiliar with the interview, include relevant details to clarify its significance and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an earlier interview" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adjective modifying another noun or pronoun. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used to refer back to a conversation that occurred before the current point of reference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an earlier interview" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for referencing previous conversations, predominantly in journalistic and media contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and suitable for use in written English. To maximize clarity, it's essential to provide sufficient context when employing this phrase. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "a previous interview" or "a prior interview", the core purpose remains consistent: to connect the current discussion to a prior, relevant conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a previous interview

Replaces "earlier" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

a prior interview

Substitutes "earlier" with "prior", indicating a conversation held before the current one.

a past interview

Uses "past" instead of "earlier", suggesting a conversation that occurred in the past.

a recent interview

Indicates the interview happened not long ago, adding a sense of recency.

a foregoing interview

A more formal way of saying "an earlier interview".

a conversation beforehand

Shifts the focus to the fact that it was a conversation that took place before now.

a preliminary interview

Suggests that the interview was a first step or preparation for something else.

a discussion previously

Uses "discussion" instead of "interview" and "previously" instead of "earlier".

the aforementioned interview

Formally references an interview that has already been mentioned.

a pre-existing interview

Emphasizes that the interview existed before the current time or situation.

FAQs

How do you properly reference "an earlier interview"?

To properly reference "an earlier interview", provide enough context so your audience knows which interview you are referring to. Mention the interviewee, the interviewer, and the publication or program where the interview was featured, or approximate date. For example, "In "an earlier interview" with The New York Times, she mentioned…"

What are some alternatives to "an earlier interview"?

You can use alternatives like "a previous interview", "a prior interview", or "a past interview" depending on the context. These alternatives maintain a similar meaning while varying the wording slightly.

Is it redundant to say "an earlier interview that was previously mentioned"?

Yes, saying "an earlier interview that was previously mentioned" can be redundant. Using "the aforementioned interview" is a more concise and formal way to refer to an interview already discussed.

How does "an earlier interview" differ from "a follow-up interview"?

"An earlier interview" refers to a conversation that happened before the current one. In contrast, "a follow-up interview" is a subsequent interview conducted to gather more information or clarifications after an initial interview. The first refers to any prior interview, while the second implies a direct continuation of a previous discussion.