during the previous time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the previous time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to a specific period that has already passed, but it is better to use more concise expressions. Example: "During the previous time, we faced several challenges that tested our resilience."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The relay first broadcasts the estimates of the signal received during the previous time slot (i.e., during the MAC phase).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, each node is aware of the fraction of the bandwidth resources it used during the previous time period.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This is because it is transmitting during the previous time slot and cannot simultaneously receive the source codeword x(n−1) due to the half-duplex constraint.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

At the beginning of all the following periods of the investor's engagement [beginning of time periods (t = 2, ldots,t_{E}), see (4 ], the cash flows from operations generated during the previous time period are available.

Business Research

Time overlapping storage: according to (26), the storage quantity of a plant location at the beginning of a specific time period results from the location's production, distribution and storage quantities during the previous time period.

Business Research

Time slots were separated by periods of at least 30 min during which the observers completed a form relating to the bus or microbus observed during the previous time slot.

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The students showed more motivation during the labs, asked more conceptually meaningful questions, and referred to the activities from the labs during office hours much more than the previous time I had taught the lab.

University of California, Berkeley

The FDIR period is the period during which errors that occurred in the previous time slot are detected and restored.

Earth, Planets and Space

The conditional probabilities of the system transition to each state during the ith sampling time interval, given that this transition has not happened during the previous sampling time intervals.

Plosone

At the same time, the sending relay will transmit a superposition codeword β2x(n−1)+β1x(n), where x(n−1) and x(n−2) are codewords it received from the source during the previous two time slots.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"Much of this growth likely reflects involuntary lending, that is, banks expanding assets in response to liquidity commitments they extended during the previous good times," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more concise alternatives like "previously" or "in the past" when the context allows. Using shorter phrases enhances readability and makes your writing more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "during the previous time" when simpler alternatives are available. Overusing lengthy phrases can make your writing sound cumbersome and less professional. For example, instead of saying, "During the previous time, we observed a decline in sales", consider saying, "Previously, we observed a decline in sales."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the period when an action occurred. It sets a temporal context, indicating that something happened in a time before the present one. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is not the most common choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

34%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during the previous time" is grammatically acceptable but often considered wordy. It functions as an adverbial phrase that indicates a period before the present, typically to provide temporal context. According to Ludwig, simpler alternatives like "previously" or "in the past" often enhance clarity. While found in varied contexts like science, news, and academic articles, its occurrence is less frequent compared to its shorter counterparts. Therefore, opting for conciseness usually leads to more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the preceding period

Replaces "time" with "period" and uses "preceding" instead of "previous", offering a slightly more formal tone.

in the prior timeframe

Substitutes "previous" with "prior" and "time" with "timeframe", adding a touch of specificity.

in the earlier interval

Replaces "previous" with "earlier" and "time" with "interval", suggesting a discrete segment of time.

during the prior occasion

Replaces "time" with "occasion", suitable when referring to a specific event or instance.

in the foregoing duration

Uses "foregoing" instead of "previous" and "duration" instead of "time", resulting in a more formal and less common phrasing.

in the past

Simplifies the phrase to a more general expression of time before the present.

previously

Reduces the phrase to a single adverb, indicating an action or state that occurred before.

in the time before

A slightly more literal and less common way to express the same concept.

in the preceding moments

Focuses on a shorter, more immediate past timeframe.

in days prior

Specifically references days before the current day

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "during the previous time"?

Alternatives include "previously", "in the past", "in the preceding period", or "in the prior timeframe". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "during the previous time" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "during the previous time" is grammatically acceptable, but it is often considered wordy. Using simpler and more direct alternatives can improve the clarity and conciseness of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "during the previous time"?

While generally acceptable, "during the previous time" might be appropriate when you want to emphasize a specific duration that occurred before the present moment. However, consider if a more concise alternative would serve the purpose more effectively.

How can I make my writing sound more professional when referring to past events?

Use alternatives such as "previously", "in the past", or "prior to this" to convey the same meaning in a more sophisticated manner. Avoid using overly verbose phrases like "during the previous time" when simpler options suffice.