in the preceding section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the preceding section" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a section of text that has been mentioned earlier in a document or discussion. Example: "The results discussed in the preceding section indicate a significant improvement in performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One was high-level programming languages (as described in the preceding section, FORTRAN, COBOL, and ALGOL).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other diseases cause the circulatory disturbances or the degenerative and infiltrative changes that are summarized in the preceding section.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the sake of brevity, the model developed in the preceding section will be referred to as the income model.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Examples are the Poisson process, the Brownian motion process, and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process described in the preceding section.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consider again the causal theory discussed in the preceding section.

SEP

The concept of relevance examined in the preceding section is commonly known as "logical relevance".

SEP

This controversy has been discussed in the preceding section and will not be repeated here.

SEP

The argument set out in the preceding section is just such an argument.

SEP

They differ in interesting respects from the works mentioned in the preceding section.

SEP

For instance, the 32 × 32 matrices described in the preceding section will have 3969 discrete directions.

Earth, Planets and Space

The first is suggested by Remark 9 in the preceding section.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the preceding section", ensure the reference is clear and unambiguous. Avoid using it when referring to sections far removed from the current text, as this can confuse the reader. Consider using a more specific reference if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "in the preceding section" when the referenced section is not immediately before the current one. Readers may have to search for the section you're referring to, disrupting their reading flow. In such cases, specify the section title or provide a brief summary of its content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preceding section" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the location of information already presented. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, affirming its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

News & Media

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the preceding section" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to reference earlier parts of a text, predominantly in formal and scientific contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, its purpose is to enhance coherence and avoid redundancy. While alternatives like "in the previous section" or "as discussed earlier" exist, using "in the preceding section" maintains a clear, structured reference, aiding readers in navigating complex information. To maximize effectiveness, ensure the reference is unambiguous and relevant to the current discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the prior section

Replaces "preceding" with its direct synonym "prior", maintaining identical meaning.

in the previous section

Substitutes "preceding" with "previous", offering a slightly more common alternative.

in the foregoing section

Replaces "preceding" with the more formal "foregoing", suitable for academic writing.

in the section before this

Provides a more descriptive, albeit less concise, way to refer to the prior section.

in the above-mentioned section

Combines a spatial and temporal reference, emphasizing that the section was already mentioned.

as discussed earlier

Uses a more general reference to prior discussion instead of a specific section.

in the initial section

Replaces "preceding" with "initial" to indicate the section that introduces a topic.

in the section above

Offers a spatial reference instead of a temporal one, indicating the section's placement.

as mentioned previously

Refers to content mentioned earlier without specifying a section.

in the first part

Refers to a prior section that makes up the first part of a whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the preceding section" to refer back to information already discussed. For example, "As discussed "in the preceding section", the results indicate a significant correlation."

What are some alternatives to "in the preceding section"?

Some alternatives include "in the "previous section"", "in the "prior section"", or "as discussed earlier".

Is it better to say "in the preceding section" or "in the previous section"?

Both "in the preceding section" and "in the "previous section"" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific style guide being followed.

When should I use "in the preceding section" instead of directly referencing the section's topic?

Use "in the preceding section" when you want to avoid repetition or when the context is clear. If the reference is less obvious or the section is far away, it might be better to briefly summarize the section's main points or refer to it by title for better clarity.