few issues ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few issues ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific number of past issues in a publication or series, indicating a time frame in which something was discussed or presented. Example: "In the magazine, a few issues ago, there was an article about the latest trends in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The New Scientist a few issues ago had a cover about - I loathe the term - psychic phenomena, which was much less hostile than previous articles.

The Guardian - Books

Eaten by Software A few issues ago, I speculated that professional services could be a high-margin trap.

Forbes

As I wrote in these pages a few issues ago, investors appear to be actively shunning technology stocks.

Forbes

A few issues ago I opined that the worst job in corporate America was that of a CIO chief information officer known depressingly within the ranks as "career is over".

Forbes

A few issues ago we reviewed the Australian made documentary 'Lovestruck' directed by Megan Spencer.

Vice

Those who are a fan of the darkside and remember the article we ran a few issues ago about the Suburban Storm Troopers should go check out Jonathan West's exhibition that opens at the Centre for Contemporary Photography this Thursday night.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This same Baldwin is now Ed Miliband's press adviser and it was he who only a few months ago issued an edict to Labour MPs, telling them not to pick on Rupert Murdoch when speaking about the phone-hacking scandal.

Independent

If you think about the issues we faced a few years ago versus the issues we face now, they are compounding, he adds.

TechCrunch

We did an International Fiction Issue a few years ago, and have done several Debut Fiction issues.

The New Yorker

I wrote about this idea a few years ago in Issues in Science and Technology.

The New York Times

The two men started to work together on some client issues a few months ago and then agreed to join offices, Mr. Leyne said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of your audience when using the phrase. While widely understood, consider if a more precise reference (e.g., "in the January edition") would be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "few issues ago" in highly formal or academic writing where a more specific citation or timeframe would be expected. In those contexts, prefer explicit references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few issues ago" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when something occurred in relation to the publication timeline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few issues ago" is a grammatically sound phrase that serves as a useful temporal marker when referring to past content within a publication or series. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing; in more formal settings, a more precise or explicit timeframe might be preferred. Always ensure clarity regarding the publication you're referencing to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a handful of issues ago

Indicates a small, indefinite number of past issues, similar to "few".

in the last few editions

Similar to "few issues ago" but emphasizes the recency and a limited number of editions.

a couple of issues back

Specifies approximately two issues in the past; more precise than "few issues ago".

in recent editions

Focuses on the editions themselves rather than a specific time; broader than "few issues ago".

in the preceding issues

More formal and indicates the issues immediately before the present.

in prior issues

More formal and general reference to past issues, without specifying how many.

in previous editions

Similar to "in prior issues"; less specific than "few issues ago".

in several past editions

Indicates more than a few, but not many, previous issues.

in some recent numbers

Emphasizes the "numbers" or issues, suggesting a series; less common than "few issues ago".

some editions back

Informal and indicates a non-specific number of editions in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "few issues ago" in a sentence?

You can use "few issues ago" to refer to content published in past editions of a magazine or periodical, as in "The author discussed similar themes in this magazine a "few years ago"".

What is a more formal alternative to "few issues ago"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "in prior issues" or "in preceding editions", which are less colloquial than "few issues ago".

Is "few issues ago" the same as "a few issues back"?

"Few issues ago" and "a few issues back" are largely interchangeable, but "a few issues back" is slightly more informal. The phrase "few issues ago" is more common in formal and professional writing.

How do I specify the number of issues when using "few issues ago"?

While "few" implies a small number, you can be more specific by saying "two issues ago" or "three issues ago" if the exact number is important and known.