in the preceding paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the preceding paragraph" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a previous section of the same piece of writing. For example: "As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, climate change is a major environmental issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Already, in the preceding paragraph, mention has begun of arts other than literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The distinctions I offer in the preceding paragraph are intended solely as examples.

Columbia University

The history of this legislation is adequately stated in the opinions to which reference is made in the preceding paragraph.

Cornell University

Where such an approval request is bundled with other requests, however, the rubric described in the preceding paragraph will apply.

Harvard University

Newton originally applied the idea of attractions and repulsions solely to the range of terrestrial phenomena mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

Britannica

My reading of Reinhart-Rogoff, Herndon-Ash-Pollin, and the other papers linked to in the preceding paragraph is that rising debt loads do weigh on growth.

Harvard Business Review

Still, given that possession, transfer or sale of cluster munitions are banned in scores of nations by international convention, the questions in the preceding paragraph begged answers.

The New York Times

In the cases contemplated in the preceding paragraph, the said Government shall at the same time inform the Powers of the date on which it received the notification.

Yale University

Clarifications: The prohibition in the preceding paragraph against copying does not apply, of course, to the ephemeral downloading and copying associated with browsing these web pages.

Stanford University

In the cases contemplated in the preceding paragraph, the said Government shall at the same time inform them of the date on which it received the notification.

Yale University

The evidence in the preceding paragraph makes clear that changes in poverty and inequality depend upon more than the rate of economic growth.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the preceding paragraph actually contains the information you are referencing to avoid confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in the preceding paragraph" if the information you're referencing is actually located several paragraphs earlier or later. This can disrupt the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preceding paragraph" serves as an anaphoric reference, linking a current statement to information previously presented. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions to maintain coherence and guide the reader through the text by explicitly pointing to a prior section.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

Science

37%

News & Media

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the preceding paragraph" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves as an anaphoric reference, explicitly linking current information to a prior section of text. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and helps maintain coherence. It is most frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. To ensure clarity, writers should confirm that the referenced information is indeed located in the immediately preceding paragraph. Using synonyms such as "in the previous paragraph" can add variety to your writing. While the phrase is generally safe to use across diverse writing styles, it will make most sense in neutral to formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the previous paragraph

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning but offering a slightly different word choice.

in the prior paragraph

Substitutes "preceding" with "prior", keeping the meaning consistent while varying the term.

in the paragraph above

Specifies the location of the reference more directly, using "above" instead of "preceding".

in the aforementioned paragraph

Uses a more formal term, "aforementioned", to refer back to the paragraph in question.

in the earlier paragraph

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the reference, using "earlier" instead of "preceding".

in the foregoing paragraph

Replaces "preceding" with "foregoing", providing a slightly more formal tone.

referring to the paragraph above

Changes the structure to a participial phrase, explicitly indicating the act of referring.

as mentioned above

Uses a more general reference to something already stated, not specifically tied to a paragraph.

as discussed earlier

Offers a broader reference to a previous discussion, not necessarily limited to a single paragraph.

this was addressed previously

Shifts to a passive voice construction, indicating that the topic was discussed at an earlier point.

FAQs

How can I use "in the preceding paragraph" in a sentence?

You can use "in the preceding paragraph" to refer back to a point or idea discussed earlier in your text. For example, "As discussed "in the preceding paragraph", further research is needed."

What's the difference between "in the preceding paragraph" and "in the following paragraph"?

"In the preceding paragraph" refers to a paragraph that comes before the current one, while "in the following paragraph" refers to a paragraph that comes after. They indicate opposite directions in the text.

Are there synonyms for "in the preceding paragraph"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "in the previous paragraph", "as mentioned above", or "in the prior paragraph" to vary your writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use "in the preceding paragraph"?

It's incorrect if the information you're referencing is not actually located in the immediately preceding paragraph. Ensure the reference is accurate to maintain clarity.