at previous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at previous" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear in what context it could be used, as it lacks a proper structure or common usage. Example: "We discussed this matter at previous meetings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Insertions at previous jejunostomy tube sites were excluded.

Stanford University

That has not been true at previous stations for me.

The Washington Post

Look at previous projects and call references, he advised.

The New York Times

At previous negotiating sessions, players and owners clashed.

The New York Times - Sports

Opel has displayed the Ampera at previous auto shows.

The New York Times

At previous low points, the party's big problem was irrelevance.

The Economist

Sedans were also bigger than at previous Chinese auto shows.

The New York Times

Before playing Don't Believe the Hype, Chuck spits at previous hip-hop at festivals.

The Guardian - Music

I don't think his gold medals at previous Olympics changed his life in the same way.

The Guardian - Sport

Here we look at previous England manager's defining matches, those who swam and those who sunk.

The Guardian - Sport

How quickly the Dane's star fell, just as it did at previous clubs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "at previous" in formal writing; instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "in previous" or "during previous" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "at" instead of "in" or "during" when referring to previous instances. Always use "in previous [context]" or "during previous [context]" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at previous" functions as a prepositional modifier, though its usage is grammatically questionable. As per Ludwig AI, it's considered incorrect. It attempts to specify a temporal context related to something that occurred before the current moment, but the preposition "at" is not typically used this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at previous" appears with high frequency across diverse sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic platforms, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, using "at previous" should be avoided in favor of correct alternatives like "in previous" or "during previous". The intention behind using "at previous" is to reference a prior time or event, but its non-standard structure undermines effective communication. Opting for grammatically sound alternatives not only enhances clarity but also maintains credibility, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in previous

Replaces "at" with "in" to form a grammatically correct prepositional phrase indicating a time frame.

during previous

Uses "during" to specify that something happened within a past timeframe, maintaining the temporal context.

in earlier

Focuses on an earlier instance or occurrence, replacing "previous" with "earlier" to refine the timeframe.

in past

Indicates a general timeframe before the present, offering a simpler alternative to "previous".

at prior

Uses "prior" to emphasize that something happened before a specific point, maintaining a formal tone.

during prior

Combines "during" with "prior" to highlight a specific period before the present.

on prior

Highlights occurrence based on previous conditions.

in preceding

Offers a more formal synonym, "preceding", to indicate something that came before.

during preceding

Uses "during" to emphasize the specified period came before another event or action.

in foregoing

Replaces "previous" with the formal "foregoing" to denote something that precedes in order or place.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "at previous" in a sentence?

Replace "at previous" with phrases like "in previous" or "during previous" depending on the context for grammatical accuracy.

Is "at previous" grammatically correct in English?

No, "at previous" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives include phrases such as "in previous" or "during previous".

What's the difference between "at previous" and "in previous"?

"At previous" is not standard English. "In previous" is the correct prepositional phrase to use when referring to something that occurred in a past instance or situation.

What are some alternatives to using "at previous" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "in previous", "during previous", or "in earlier" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.