extensive past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extensive past" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a history or background that is rich, detailed, or significant in scope. Example: "Her extensive past in the industry has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary for this role."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Now it also has an extensive past, tinged with nostalgia.

The New York Times - Arts

Extensive past investigations into abuses in Afghanistan made it relatively easy to identify one site, and should make it possible to pin down the others.

The Guardian

I laid out my impressive experiences as a high school soccer player and golfer, then shared my wife's extensive past as a lifeguard.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite these data and extensive past research efforts, the promise of developing selective hypoxic-cell sensitizers has been largely unfulfilled.

Seminars in Oncology

Giant panda populations have been restricted to remnants of habitat from extensive past land use and land-cover change.

Ecological Modelling

Despite extensive past efforts to promote SLM to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, adoption remains low.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Investigators described Alexander, 24, as having an extensive criminal past.

Los Angeles Times

Other clubs include Navenby Archaeology Group, which aims to uncover the village's extensive historic past.

Wikipedia

Our results demonstrate that, given large amounts of molecular data and extensive sampling, past evolutionary and biogeographic events can be reconstructed despite relatively high levels of LGT.

BMC Biology

"They have extensive criminal pasts," said Carlos Alvarez, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The New York Times

The biggest burglary in English legal history was masterminded by a gang that included men in their 70s with extensive criminal pasts, who broke into the vault at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit to steal £14m worth of jewels, gold and cash, a court has heard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extensive past" when you want to emphasize a history or background that is both long and covers a wide range of experiences or events. This is particularly effective in academic or professional contexts where thoroughness is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "extensive past" when referring to events that have occurred recently. The phrase implies a long and well-documented history, not current or immediately preceding events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive past" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "extensive" modifies the noun "past". It describes the nature of someone's or something's history, suggesting a broad and detailed background. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extensive past" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, particularly in scientific and news contexts to characterize a history that is both broad and deep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal writing. Alternatives such as "rich history" or "detailed background" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase is valuable for emphasizing a long and varied background, especially when thoroughness and credibility are essential. While versatile, ensure its use aligns with the intended meaning and context to accurately reflect the scope of the past being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rich history

Focuses on the quality and depth of the historical background rather than its scope.

broad history

Highlights the wide-ranging nature of the history.

comprehensive history

Focuses on the completeness and thoroughness of the historical record.

detailed background

Emphasizes the level of detail known about someone or something's history.

substantial history

Emphasizes the considerable amount of history.

significant background

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the background.

lengthy experience

Focuses on the duration and practical involvement over time.

considerable experience

Highlights the significant amount of experience accumulated.

sizeable background

Highlights the significant size or scale of the background.

prolonged involvement

Stresses long-term engagement and participation in activities.

FAQs

How can I use "extensive past" in a sentence?

You can use "extensive past" to describe a history or background that is rich, detailed, or significant in scope. For example: "Her "extensive past" in the industry has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary for this role."

What are some alternatives to "extensive past"?

Alternatives include "rich history", "broad history", or "detailed background" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "extensive past" or "long history"?

Both "extensive past" and "long history" are correct, but "extensive past" implies a history that is not only long but also covers a wide range of experiences or events. Use "long history" when you want to emphasize the duration.

What does it mean to have an "extensive past" in a particular field?

Having an "extensive past" in a field means that someone has a long and varied history of involvement and experience in that area. It suggests a deep understanding and a broad range of skills.