existing literature

USAGE SUMMARY

"existing literature" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to existing published works on a certain topic. For example, "This research project draws upon existing literature in order to gain a better understanding of the issue".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This research makes several important contributions to the existing literature.

Nature

Results are congruent with existing literature.

The Arts in Psychotherapy

These recommendations are based on science and existing literature".

The New York Times - Health

Our study contributes to the existing literature on several fronts.

Columbia University

Together with the existing literature this explains procyclical leverage.

Yale University

Together with the existing literature this explains pro-cyclical leverage.

Yale University

Much of the existing literature is ideologically biased.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This paper reviewed existing literature.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

The existing literature was reviewed.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Papers normally will demonstrate knowledge of existing literature.

Springer

Section 2 reviews the existing literature.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "existing literature", be specific about the scope and relevance of the literature you are referring to. Mentioning specific fields or areas of study can provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "existing literature" as a vague placeholder. Instead of saying "The existing literature supports this", specify which studies or sources provide the support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing literature" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It refers to the body of published works relevant to a specific topic or field of study. As shown in Ludwig, it appears in contexts where research is being discussed, cited, or compared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

Academia

22%

News & Media

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existing literature" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to the body of published works relevant to a particular topic. As Ludwig AI points out, it is typically used in scientific and academic contexts to provide background, support arguments, or identify gaps in current knowledge. While alternatives like "prior research" or "previous studies" exist, "existing literature" remains a versatile and widely accepted term. When using this phrase, be sure to provide specific context and avoid overgeneralization. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the term is predominantly used within scientific, academic, and news media publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the literature

A shortened, slightly more informal version of the original phrase.

prior research

Focuses on the research aspect, emphasizing previous studies conducted.

previous studies

Highlights the empirical aspect, referring to earlier investigations.

published research

Specifically emphasizes that the research has been formally published.

the current state of knowledge

Emphasizes the cumulative understanding at a particular point in time.

relevant publications

Highlights the pertinence of the publications to a specific topic.

scholarly articles

Refers to academic papers, often peer-reviewed.

body of work

Broader term referring to a collection of related works, not necessarily academic.

extant scholarship

More formal and academic, refers to existing scholarly work.

background reading

Focuses on the informative aspect, referring to materials that provide context.

FAQs

How do I use "existing literature" in a sentence?

You can use "existing literature" to refer to the body of published works relevant to a particular topic. For example, "This study builds upon the "existing literature" on climate change to explore new mitigation strategies."

What are some alternatives to saying "existing literature"?

Alternatives include "prior research", "previous studies", or "the current state of knowledge" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "existing literature" in formal writing?

Yes, "existing literature" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic papers and research reports. It's a standard and widely understood term.

What's the difference between "existing literature" and "the literature"?

"Existing literature" is more explicit and emphasizes the current state of knowledge, while "the literature" is a more concise and slightly more informal way to refer to the same concept. Both are generally interchangeable.