earlier conversation with

USAGE SUMMARY

"earlier conversation with" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation that happened in the past, or that happened before the current conversation. For example, "He recalled the details of our earlier conversation with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I recall an earlier conversation with Leila.

The Guardian

I ask if this experience had weighed on the earlier conversation with her father, and she shakes her head.

The Guardian

That night, my brother sat at her bedside while she recounted an earlier conversation with a doctor who was apparently trying to be straightforward with her about her treatment.

The New York Times

3. (C/REL UK, CANADA, AUSTRALIA) The Dalai Lama related an earlier conversation with a Chinese scholar that convinced him the "positive scenario" he outlined on March 28 -- where the PRC agrees to dialogue and permits a degree of Tibetan autonomy -- was a possibility.

The Guardian

At that time, Mr. Burris cited an earlier conversation with a former aide to Mr. Blagojevich but mentioned nothing of Robert Blagojevich's more recent calls seeking campaign contributions, which his affidavit suggests alluded at least twice to the Senate seat but does not make clear whether Mr. Burris ever told the governor's brother of his wish to fill the post.

The New York Times

In an earlier conversation with Forbes India, he said, "What can a child do if her own parents sexually molest her? Goa is being raped by its own protectors.”.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Several lawmakers said he had signaled his approval in earlier conversations with them.

The New York Times

Shortly after Mr. Blagojevich selected him, Mr. Burris said he had had no earlier conversations with the governor's representatives regarding his appointment.

The New York Times

Based on earlier conversations with Dr. Kelly, the words seemed to refer to people within the Ministry of Defense and Britain's intelligence agencies with whom he had often sparred over interpretations of intelligence reports.

The New York Times

McEnroe is known for saying what he thinks, as I had learned during a couple of earlier conversations with him — at one point, he'd told me that he didn't think much of my questions, but in spite of that I'd found myself liking him quite a lot.

The New Yorker

[Excerpts, Page A10.] In earlier conversations with President Vladimir V. Putin, Mr. Clinton failed to shake the Kremlin's staunch opposition to Washington's proposal for a new missile defense plan -- an opposition shared by China and much of Europe on the ground that it could spur a new arms race.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earlier conversation with" to explicitly differentiate a past discussion from the current one, providing clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier conversation with" without providing enough context for the reader to understand which conversation you are referring to. Always ensure that the earlier conversation has been adequately introduced or referenced previously in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier conversation with" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a temporal relationship, specifying that the conversation took place before the current point of reference. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier conversation with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to reference a previous discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the conversation being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "previous discussion with" and "prior consultation with", each offering subtle differences in formality and emphasis. By avoiding the assumption of shared knowledge and providing sufficient context, you can effectively use the phrase to enhance clarity in your writing. Be aware that the expression is rated as "Common" in frequency, and it's grammatically correct as stated by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous discussion with

Replaces "conversation" with "discussion", emphasizing a more formal exchange.

an earlier discussion with

Uses "discussion" instead of "conversation", implying a more formal setting.

prior consultation with

Substitutes "conversation" with "consultation", suggesting a more advisory or professional exchange.

initial dialogue with

Replaces "earlier" with "initial" and "conversation" with "dialogue", indicating a beginning stage of communication.

preceding exchange with

Uses "preceding" instead of "earlier" and "exchange" in place of "conversation", focusing on the act of exchanging information.

a prior talk with

Replaces "conversation" with "talk", suggesting a less formal discussion.

past communication with

Replaces both "earlier" and "conversation" to generally describe a previous instance of communication.

aforementioned discussion with

Uses "aforementioned" to reference a specific conversation already mentioned.

early exchange with

Highlights that the "exchange" happened at an early stage.

first conversation with

Emphasizes that it was the "first" time a discussion took place.

FAQs

What's a good way to start a sentence with "earlier conversation with"?

You can start with "Referring to an "earlier conversation with"..." or "In an "earlier conversation with"..." followed by the person's name or role and then the topic or main point discussed.

What can I say instead of "earlier conversation with"?

You can use alternatives like "previous discussion with", "prior consultation with", or "initial dialogue with" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "earlier conversation that we had with"?

Yes, it's somewhat redundant. "Earlier conversation with" already implies that you were a participant. You can simply say "earlier conversation with [person's name]" for a more concise phrasing.

How does "earlier conversation with" differ from "later conversation with"?

"Earlier conversation with" refers to a conversation that happened in the past, while "later conversation with" refers to one that will happen or has happened more recently relative to the current point of reference.