in previous eras

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in previous eras" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing historical contexts or comparing past times to the present. Example: "In previous eras, societies were often structured around agrarian economies and communal living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

How is it used differently than in previous eras?

The New York Times

In previous eras power relied on a general acceptance of hierarchies and positions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Philharmonic's virtuosity, so abused in previous eras, was used here for the right purposes.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe, in previous eras, those students would not have been coming to college".

The New Yorker

In previous eras, ideologically extreme minorities could be controlled by party leadership.

The New Yorker

As in previous eras, the dream of erotic emancipation was paired with that of political emancipation.

The New Yorker

Racial discrimination, so casually prevalent in previous eras, became socially taboo, unless the discrimination were positive.

The Economist

Jazz was satisfying a hunger for popular art that in previous eras only classical composers had been able to satisfy.

The New Yorker

Are there parallels in previous eras of illusory promises that resulted in a general erosion of trust?

The New Yorker

Piazza even injected a quick comment about how parents are not as responsible for their children as they were in previous eras.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The buying and selling of ranks was common in previous eras it was known as the "unorthodox path"—but it had mostly been a relatively harmless trade in insignificant titles.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in previous eras" to draw a contrast between past practices or conditions and the present. It helps emphasize how things have changed over time.

Common error

Be careful not to misspell "eras" as "errors". While both words exist, they have entirely different meanings. Double-check your spelling to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in previous eras" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. According to Ludwig, it's used to provide a temporal context, contrasting past times with the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in previous eras" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for contrasting past times with the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse sources. It primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, setting a temporal context and highlighting changes over time, common in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, writers should ensure correct spelling ("eras", not "errors") and choose it when emphasizing broader historical periods. For specific durations, alternatives like "years ago" may be more suitable. Overall, its widespread use in authoritative sources underlines its reliability in formal and informal writing. Alternatives for this phrase are: "in earlier times", "in past ages", "historically".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in earlier times

Uses "earlier" to indicate a time before the present, simplifying the phrase.

in past ages

Employs "ages" to represent long periods in the past, offering a more dramatic tone.

in bygone days

Replaces "eras" with "days", giving a sense of nostalgia.

in former times

Utilizes "former" to specify times that have passed, maintaining a formal tone.

historically

Adverb that encapsulates the concept of past events, reducing the phrase to a single word.

in olden times

Adopts "olden" to denote ancient or distant times, adding an antiquated feel.

in antiquity

Refers specifically to the ancient past, limiting the time frame.

in the past

A more general way to refer to a time before the present.

years ago

Indicates a quantifiable duration, making it more specific than "in previous eras".

back in the day

An informal way to reference a period in the past, often with a sense of fondness.

FAQs

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

You can use "in previous eras" to compare past conditions or practices with the present, highlighting changes over time. For example, "In previous eras, information was not as readily accessible as it is today."

What is a more formal alternative to "in previous eras"?

A more formal alternative could be "in former times" or "historically", depending on the context you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in previous eras" and "in past eras"?

The phrases "in previous eras" and "in past eras" are largely interchangeable. Both refer to periods of time before the present, with no significant difference in meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "in previous eras" instead of "years ago"?

Use "in previous eras" when you want to emphasize a general period or epoch and its characteristics. Use "years ago" when you need to specify a particular time in the past with a quantifiable duration.