in past

USAGE SUMMARY

"in past" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that happened in the past, such as in the sentence "In past years, there have been fewer visitors to the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

This did not happen in past".

The New York Times

Others required in past: Ireland, Spain, Cyprus.

The Guardian - Business

In past recessions, rising prices inhibited consumers.

The New York Times

Violence has been common in past elections.

The New York Times

I'm more interested in past cultures.

The New York Times - Magazine

In past cases, it has come through appropriations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

In past years, no strategy has worked.

The New York Times

They had been comrades in past struggles.

The New Yorker

In past years the means were high.

The New York Times

Congress has ignored that idea in past years.

The New York Times

"In past years, we had letdowns in games like this.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in past" to introduce a contrast with the present, highlighting how things have changed over time.

Common error

Avoid using "in past" when referring to very recent events. Instead, use phrases like "recently" or "in the last few days" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in past" primarily functions as a prepositional modifier, typically introducing a temporal context to a statement. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's used to frame events or conditions within a previous timeframe.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in past" serves as a useful prepositional phrase, mainly used to denote events, actions or situations that took place at a time before the present. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase. Its frequency is common, particularly in news and scientific contexts, where it helps establish temporal context and highlight changes or comparisons. While versatile, it is important to not overuse "in past" for very recent events. Consider alternatives such as ""formerly"", ""in earlier days"" or ""in the past"" for situations where nuance or formality requires a shift.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past

A simpler and more direct way to indicate something happened earlier.

in previous times

This alternative emphasizes the temporal aspect of past occurrences.

in former times

Similar to "in previous times" but slightly more formal.

formerly

A single-word adverb that conveys the idea of a previous state or condition.

in earlier days

This phrase evokes a sense of nostalgia or a more distant past.

in bygone eras

Implies a more distant and significantly different past.

in retrospect

Focuses on looking back and re-evaluating past events.

historically

Refers to events or trends as part of the historical record.

in days gone by

A more poetic or old-fashioned way of referring to the past.

once upon a time

Used to introduce stories or narratives about the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "in past" to refer to events or situations that occurred at some point before the present. For example: "In past years, the company focused on domestic markets."

What are some alternatives to "in past"?

Some alternatives to "in past" include "formerly", "in earlier days", or "in the past", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "in past" instead of "in the past"?

"In past" is often used to set up a comparison or contrast with the present or future. "In the past" is a more general reference to a time before now.

Is "in past" considered formal or informal language?

"In past" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news, scientific writing and discussions about history.