earlier contacts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier contacts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to previous interactions or communications with someone or something. Example: "In our meeting, we discussed the outcomes of our earlier contacts with the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ethnic minority status and cohabitation with a sexual partner were also associated with fewer earlier contacts; greater chronicity and knowledge of HIV infection were associated with more earlier contacts.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

"To date we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship," the commission wrote.

The New York Times

Under hours of questioning and the glare of klieg lights, the two men differed widely in their accounts of their earlier contacts.

The New York Times

In a standard multiple regression analysis that also allowed for the potential influence of (a) age, (b) education, (c) ethnic minority status, (d) cohabitation with a sexual partner, (e) chronicity of opioid use, and (f) knowledge of HIV infection, there was a significant, negative relationship between number of children and number of earlier contacts for drug abuse treatment.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Hawkish commentators (like me) objected strenuously to this staff formulation; when the final report was issued, signed by all members of the bipartisan commission, a modifier had been added to the controversial phrase, which became "we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship".

The New York Times - Magazine

But for seven weeks, the Senate committee has been seeking records of earlier contacts between Enron, presidential aides and eight federal agencies that regulate energy trading companies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He at first said he had had no earlier contact with the governor's representatives about his appointment.

The New York Times

She had earlier contacted friends and supporters saying she was in emotional distress and feared for her life.

The Guardian

Asio was aware of Virkez's earlier contact with the Yugoslav consulate in Sydney and should have doubted his story.

The Guardian

Harvick admittedly wrecked Busch on purpose late in last season's finale at Homestead as retaliation for earlier contact.

The New York Times - Sports

He had earlier contacted a radical cleric in Yemen for advice on what American Muslims could do to wage jihad.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earlier contacts", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom these contacts refer to. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier contacts" without specifying who or what was contacted. Always provide sufficient context to prevent confusion about the subject of these contacts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier contacts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to previous interactions or communications. Ludwig AI examples show it used to denote prior dealings in various contexts, from drug treatment to political investigations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earlier contacts" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that refers to previous interactions or communications. Ludwig AI indicates that its use spans various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. It is appropriate for both formal and neutral registers. While generally correct, clarity is crucial. Make sure to always specify who or what was contacted to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "prior communications" or "previous interactions" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous interactions

Emphasizes the act of interacting at a prior time, focusing on the reciprocal action.

prior communications

Highlights the exchange of information before the current moment, specifically through communication channels.

initial engagements

Focuses on the first instances of involvement or interaction, suggesting a beginning phase.

preliminary discussions

Refers to early conversations or talks that set the stage for later developments.

early dealings

Highlights the transactions or business conducted at an early stage.

first encounters

Emphasizes the initial meetings or experiences, often with a sense of novelty.

past liaisons

Implies a connection or relationship that existed in the past, possibly of a more intimate nature.

historical connections

Stresses the links or relationships that have a basis in history.

former associations

Highlights affiliations or relationships that no longer exist.

antecedent interactions

A more formal way of referring to prior interactions, emphasizing their role as precursors.

FAQs

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

You can use "earlier contacts" to refer to previous interactions or communications. For example, "The investigation revealed several "earlier contacts" between the suspect and the victim."

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

A more formal alternative would be "prior communications" or "previous interactions". For example, instead of "We reviewed our "earlier contacts"", you could say "We reviewed our "prior communications"".

Is it correct to say 'more earlier contacts'?

No, it is not correct. The word "earlier" is already a comparative adjective, so you should not use "more" with it. Use "more contacts" or "earlier contacts" instead.

What's the difference between "earlier contacts" and "initial contacts"?

"Initial contacts" refer specifically to the very first interactions, while "earlier contacts" can refer to any contacts that occurred before the present moment, not necessarily the first ones. "Initial contacts" is a subset of "earlier contacts", in this regard.