earlier item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previously mentioned object, topic, or point in a discussion or document. Example: "As noted in the earlier item, the budget for next year will be discussed in detail during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Go to Online Edition of PE Week Wire » Go to Earlier Item on DealBook ».

The New York Times

(To avoid confusion, we have removed the earlier item).

Science Magazine

As noted earlier, item position effects can be examined one item at a time using Eqs. 3 and 4.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Thanks to some sharp eyes at the Association of American Universities for noticing that our earlier item on DOD basic research contained an error.

Science Magazine

This indicates that the mean of θ was lower in the decline classes than in the no-decline class and that it further decreased when PD onset occurred in earlier item positions.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

For some applications, this restriction might be too strict, for example, the decrease in proficiency could be stronger for a switching point in earlier item positions and could diminish when PD affects only the very last items.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Musicians in each generation may choose as they desire to add fresh flavour to such earlier items or to leave them "pure".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among the earlier items, Ms. Fleming was superb in Ernst Bacon's song "The Heart Asks Pleasure First," a composition that is barely more than an eightfold repetition of the same cadencing contour, but as sung here, merged with Dickinson's words in telling simplicity.

The New York Times - Arts

For example, in a computerized adaptive test, two examinees can receive the same item at different positions because of how they responded to earlier items on the test (e.g., van der Linden et al. 2007).

Large-scale Assessments in Education

This irrational primacy effect is independent of the primacy effect in memory in which the earlier items in a series leave a stronger memory trace.

Wikipedia

They dynamically select the best items for each individual sequentially, based upon their responses to earlier items.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earlier item", ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity about which item you are referring to. If there are multiple previous items, be specific.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier item" if the text has undergone significant revisions or reordering. The original placement of the item may no longer be obvious, leading to confusion. In these cases, specify which "item" you mean by name or section.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier item" functions primarily as a referential expression, used to direct the reader or listener to a previously mentioned element within a text or discussion. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, which is evidenced by multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier item" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to a previously mentioned object, topic, or point. Ludwig confirms its usability across various registers, from scientific publications to news articles. To maintain clarity, ensure the reference is unambiguous. While alternatives like "previous item" and "prior item" exist, "earlier item" remains a versatile choice. When writing with "earlier item", follow the recommendation to be clear when referring to previous items, and avoid using "earlier item" if the text has undergone significant revisions or reordering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous item

Replaces "earlier" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning of referring to a preceding item.

prior item

Uses "prior" instead of "earlier", indicating an item that came before the current one.

preceding item

Substitutes "earlier" with "preceding", emphasizing the order of items.

aforementioned item

Replaces "earlier" with "aforementioned", referring to something already mentioned.

item mentioned previously

Rephrases the phrase to highlight that the item was mentioned before.

item discussed earlier

Focuses on the fact that the item was discussed at a previous time.

first item

If applicable, denotes the chronological first entry from a list.

initial item

Highlights the item that appeared at the beginning.

item above

Refers to an item that is physically positioned above the current point of reference.

item before

Indicates an item that appears directly before another, stressing adjacency.

FAQs

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

You can use "earlier item" to refer back to a previously mentioned subject, for example: "As mentioned in the "previous item", funding is contingent upon approval."

What's a good alternative to "earlier item"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "previous item", "prior item", or "aforementioned item".

Is it more appropriate to say "earlier item" or "previous item"?

Both "earlier item" and "previous item" are generally acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations, as they have very similar meanings.

When should I avoid using "earlier item"?

Avoid using "earlier item" when the context is unclear or when significant changes have been made to the document since the item was initially introduced. In such cases, a more specific reference might be better, specifying the subject.