earlier section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier section" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a part of a document or text that was mentioned or discussed previously. Example: "For more details on this topic, please refer to the earlier section of the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(See the earlier section The IBM 360).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I know that you've discussed earlier section 702.

The Washington Post

Also see the earlier section on the Individually Designed Major program in Teaching Physical Science.

Stanford University

TODO: Add reference to the earlier section of the report on RMX implementation.

Stanford University

I have to go back to an earlier section to drop in a couple of references to him.

The Guardian - Books

Hopefully, the democratization process discussed in the earlier section will work and Nigeria can begin to manage the situation effectively.

Stanford University

1913, § 10183 (later, Rev. Stat. § 5508), and that by an earlier section of the same statute, § 4 (later, Rev. Stat.

Cornell University

An earlier section of this article discussed the variation of heights in relation to scale and space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As one of the section openers I wanted one of Picasso's versions of Velasquez's Las Meninas, having used the original to open an earlier section.

The Guardian - Arts

From this perspective, the earlier section metamorphoses into a hypertrophic preamble and advance apology for the self-indulgence of writing the story of one's childhood.

The New York Times - Books

It seems so obvious to me now but if you want to change an earlier section of a tapestry, everything has to be unpicked.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific section, ensure the title or a unique identifier of that section is clearly stated along with the phrase "earlier section" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier section" without providing enough context for the reader to easily locate the section being referenced. Instead of vaguely stating "as discussed in the "earlier section"", provide a specific title, heading, or short description to guide the reader directly to the relevant content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier section" functions as a referential marker, guiding the reader to a previously discussed part of a text. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a common way to provide cross-references within documents. The phrase allows for efficient information flow and avoids redundancy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

20%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier section" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to refer to a prior part of a text. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a referential marker, aiding in clarity and context. While versatile, it's crucial to provide enough context to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "previous section" or "prior section" can be used for variety, but the key is to maintain clarity and coherence in writing. The phrase finds its frequent use across diverse fields like science and academia demonstrating its versatility in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous section

This alternative directly replaces "earlier" with "previous", offering a slightly more common synonym.

prior section

This uses "prior" instead of "earlier", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

preceding section

Replaces "earlier" with "preceding", giving a slightly more technical feel.

section mentioned earlier

Adds emphasis on the act of mentioning, slightly altering the focus.

section discussed previously

Highlights the act of discussion, changing the emphasis.

section above

Refers to spatial position rather than temporal sequence, altering the image.

aforementioned section

Introduces a more formal and legalistic tone.

segment mentioned above

Uses "segment" for "section" and "above" to indicate position, making it less specific.

the foregoing section

This alternative utilizes a more archaic and formal tone.

the section in question

Shifts the focus to a particular section already understood, adding a tone of inquiry.

FAQs

How to use "earlier section" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier section" to refer back to a part of a document that was previously mentioned. For example: "For more details on this topic, please refer to the "earlier section" of the report."

What can I say instead of "earlier section"?

You can use alternatives like "previous section", "prior section", or "preceding section" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "earlier section" or "previous section"?

Both "earlier section" and "previous section" are correct and can be used interchangeably in most cases. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey.

How can I ensure clarity when using "earlier section" in my writing?

To ensure clarity, always provide enough context so that readers can easily identify the section you are referring to. This might include mentioning a specific heading, a key topic discussed, or a page number. For instance, "As explained in the "earlier section" on methodology..."