earlier population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier population" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of people or organisms that existed at a previous time in a specific context, such as historical or biological discussions. Example: "The study focused on the earlier population of the region, examining their lifestyle and cultural practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The Dogon attribute them to an earlier population, the Tellem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An earlier population of hunter gatherers was successively overwhelmed by new arrivals.

The Guardian

Since independence, though, Moldova's population has decreased, largely owing to the emigration of Moldovans seeking economic opportunities elsewhere and to the virtual end of immigration from Russia and Ukraine, which had contributed to earlier population growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But language and race are by no means the same thing, and the spread of the Indo-European languages resulted, in the main, from the imposition of one of them on the earlier population of the territories occupied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Gul, the foreign minister, expressed similar concerns to the UN.The Kurds claimed that they were simply responding to earlier population shifts engineered by Saddam Hussein, who forced large numbers of Iraqis to move from the south of the country to wealthy Kirkuk to dilute the Kurdish majority there.

The Economist

It confirms smaller studies showing that overfishing has decimated certain fish species and gives a baseline estimate of earlier population numbers that should aid in conservation.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Groups at the ends of short twigs, the ones that split only recently from earlier populations, are younger, in a genealogical sense, than those at the ends of long branches.

The New York Times - Science

Such reductions could be the outcomes from earlier population-level investments such as improved education and living conditions, and better prevention and treatment of vascular and chronic conditions.

The Lancet Neurology

As in earlier population-based studies, cross-sectional data from Young-HUNT1 showed that recurrent headache was associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents aged 12 14 years and 15 17 years [21].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This result was replicated in a large population-based twin study [7], while earlier population-based studies based on the 1st edition of the ICHD showed a similar tendency [18, 19].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This confirms findings from several studies with less reliable study designs during the last years [9, 23, 24], but contrast with an earlier population-based study, which did not find an association between previous head injury and headache [12].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, ensure that when referring to an "earlier population", you clearly define the temporal context and any relevant distinguishing characteristics to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier population" without specifying a clear point of reference. Without a comparative timeframe, the term can be vague. For instance, instead of saying 'Studies showed differences in the earlier population', specify 'Studies showed differences in the earlier population before the industrial revolution'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier population" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "earlier" modifies the noun "population". Ludwig provides various examples illustrating its use in academic and scientific contexts, referring to groups of people or organisms existing at a previous time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earlier population" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, especially in scientific and historical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various reputable sources. It's crucial to provide context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "previous inhabitants" or "former population", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid vagueness by always specifying the timeframe or point of reference when discussing an "earlier population".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier inhabitants

Focuses on the inhabitants of a particular time earlier than another, without emphasis on the end.

past population

A more general term referring to a population that existed at any time in the past.

former population

Indicates a population that existed in the past but does not exist now.

preceding population

Emphasizes the temporal order, highlighting that this population came before another.

pre-existing population

Focuses on the fact that the population existed before a certain event or arrival.

previous inhabitants

Focuses specifically on the people who lived in a place before the current residents.

historical population

Referring to a population from the past, usually in historical context.

original population

Refers to the first population to inhabit a particular area.

early inhabitants

Similar to "previous inhabitants" but can also imply the initial stages of habitation.

ancestral population

Highlights the aspect of ancestry and lineage from which a current population is derived.

FAQs

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

You can use "earlier population" to refer to a group of people or organisms that existed at a previous time. For example, "The study focused on the "earlier population" of the region, examining their lifestyle and cultural practices."

What are some alternatives to "earlier population"?

Alternatives include "previous inhabitants", "preceding population", or "former population", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "earlier population" and "previous population" are correct. "Earlier" emphasizes a time before a specific point, while "previous" simply means before the current one. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "earlier inhabitants" and "original population"?

"Earlier inhabitants" refers to people who lived in a place before a specific time, while "original population" typically refers to the very first group of people to live in a place.