in previous cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in previous cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to earlier instances or examples that have been discussed or analyzed. Example: "In previous cases, the court has ruled in favor of the defendant, setting a precedent for similar situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Financial Ombudsman has confirmed that in previous cases.

The Guardian - Money

"It was a dialogue in previous cases," said Mr Kozlovskiy.

Independent

As in previous cases, the authorities presented little evidence to back up their claims.

The New York Times

In the end, however, the result was indistinguishable from those in previous cases.

The New Yorker

As in previous cases, they tried to turn the courtroom into a political theatre.

The Guardian - Books

That is what has happened in previous cases involving products made by third-party vendors.

The New York Times

As in previous cases, others warned that Mr. Trump's promises should not be trusted.

The New York Times

The tribunal judgment says the Met had done it before in previous cases.

The Guardian

In previous cases HMRC has attracted criticism for failing to prosecute wealthy individuals caught evading tax.

The Guardian

The copying conducted in previous cases has involved library or telephone directory copying.

Harvard University

'The House of Lords no longer regards the reasoning in previous cases as sacrosanct.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in previous cases", ensure that the context clearly establishes what constitutes a 'case'. This could be legal proceedings, research studies, or instances of a specific phenomenon.

Common error

Avoid using "in previous cases" without providing specific examples or references. Vague references can weaken your argument and confuse your reader. Provide enough detail to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in previous cases" functions as a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier. It connects a current situation or statement to similar situations or instances that have occurred before, providing context or precedent. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in previous cases" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to reference earlier, similar situations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, this phrase is valuable for providing context, establishing precedent, or drawing comparisons. When using "in previous cases", ensure that you are providing enough detail and make sure that the context is clear to prevent any confusion. Consider using alternatives like "in prior instances" or "in earlier situations" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in prior instances

Replaces 'previous' with 'prior', offering a more formal tone, but the meaning remains largely the same.

in earlier situations

Substitutes 'cases' with 'situations', broadening the context to include non-legal or non-formal scenarios.

in past examples

Uses 'past examples' instead of 'previous cases', focusing on specific instances rather than general situations.

in former circumstances

Replaces 'previous' with 'former' and 'cases' with 'circumstances', indicating a slightly more distant or historical perspective.

in similar situations

Emphasizes the similarity between the current and prior situations, rather than just the temporal aspect.

historically

Conveys the concept of referencing past occurrences, but lacks the direct comparison to specific cases.

as a matter of precedent

Focuses specifically on the legal or procedural aspect, referring to established precedents.

on earlier occasions

Shifts the focus to specific instances or events, rather than general patterns or cases.

by way of background

Introduces past cases as context, often to provide supporting information for a current discussion.

heretofore

A formal adverb meaning "before this time" which indicates referencing past occurrences but not necessarily specific cases.

FAQs

How can I use "in previous cases" in a sentence?

The phrase "in previous cases" is used to refer back to similar situations or instances that have occurred before. For example, "In previous cases, the court has ruled in favor of the plaintiff."

What can I say instead of "in previous cases"?

You can use alternatives such as "in prior instances", "in earlier situations", or "in past examples" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "in previous cases" or "in earlier cases"?

Both "in previous cases" and "in earlier cases" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone.

What is the difference between "in previous cases" and "in similar cases"?

"In previous cases" refers to cases that happened before, while "in similar cases" refers to cases that share similar characteristics, regardless of when they occurred. The former emphasizes time, the latter emphasizes resemblance.