earlier communication

USAGE SUMMARY

"earlier communication" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to communication that has already happened, for example: We discussed this issue in our earlier communication.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Unlike earlier communication networks, the Internet is not controlled from the top down.

The New York Times - Science

An earlier communication seeking to establish relations with the coalition at the outset also went without reply.

The Guardian

Black's discussions with Cerberus were hardly unique, and an earlier communication with another potential investor is illuminating of his motivations.

Harvard University

In an earlier communication, we first described the effort of developing water soluble fluorescent α-amidoboronic acids, which change fluorescence upon sugar binding.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

I have ideas, you have ideas," was the way one senior counterterrorism official described Zarqawi's message, which was a response to an earlier communication sent by bin Laden.

The Washington Post

In earlier communication with Copernicus, Osiander had urged him to present his ideas as purely hypothetical, and he now introduced certain changes without the permission of either Rheticus or Copernicus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

As the provost noted in an early communication to the campus community, we have been tracking endowment performance since 1964; 37 of those 45 years, it returned between 2 and 38percentt.

Stanford University

The best method for timely detection of a covert bioterrorist attack is early communication between the two communities and recognition of the extent and origin of the threat.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Charettes are common to the design process, and are especially useful to establish early communication.

Solar Energy Conversion Systems

It now emphasizes early communication and clear explanations to give employees time to ask questions and prepare for change.

Harvard Business Review

Early communication with parents about the cost of upcoming trips helps to ensure good take-up, says Carolyn Thackway, deputy head at Shakespeare primary school in Fleetwood, Lancashire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific instance of "earlier communication", provide context or a reference point to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the date, subject, or medium of the communication.

Common error

Avoid making assumptions about the recipient's memory of the "earlier communication". Briefly recap the key points or provide a direct reference to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier communication" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a communicative act that took place before the current moment of speaking or writing. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier communication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to reference a previous exchange of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: provide sufficient context to ensure the recipient understands which specific communication you're referring to. Consider alternatives such as "previous correspondence" or "prior dialogue" depending on the situation and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous correspondence

Replaces "communication" with "correspondence", implying a formal exchange, typically in writing.

prior communication

Uses "prior" instead of "earlier", maintaining the same meaning of something preceding the current interaction.

preceding communication

A more formal synonym for "earlier communication".

previous contact

Substitutes "communication" with "contact", focusing on the act of making connections rather than the content exchanged.

prior dialogue

Replaces "communication" with "dialogue", emphasizing a two-way conversation.

past communication

Emphasizes that the communication happened in the past.

former communication

Another way to indicate that the communication took place at an earlier time.

earlier message

Specifies "communication" as a "message", which could be written or spoken.

earlier exchange

Replaces "communication" with "exchange", highlighting the reciprocal nature of the interaction.

initial communication

Focuses on the beginning of a series of communications.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier communication" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier communication" to refer to a conversation, message, or exchange that happened before the current one. For example: "As mentioned in our earlier communication, the deadline has been extended."

What's a more formal alternative to "earlier communication"?

A more formal alternative could be "prior communication" or "preceding communication", which are often used in professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "previous communication" instead of "earlier communication"?

Yes, "previous communication" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "earlier communication". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

How do I make it clear what "earlier communication" I'm referring to?

To avoid confusion, specify the date, subject, or method of the "earlier communication". For example, "In our email from last week..." or "During our phone conversation on Monday...". Providing context ensures the recipient knows exactly what you're referencing.