in the previous chapters

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the previous chapters" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
For example, "In the previous chapters, we have discussed the major themes of the novel and their implications for our understanding of the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Many of their presentations have formed the basis of the material presented in the previous chapters.

Service Life Prediction of Polymers and Plastics Exposed to Outdoor Weathering

We have considered prefixed times of change of the stress levels in the previous chapters.

Analysis of Step-Stress Models Existing Results and Some Recent Developments

The elusive manganese catalyst acting as the catalytic site is dealt with in the previous chapters of this issue.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

In this chapter we discuss several aspects of step-stress life test that do not fit in the previous chapters.

Analysis of Step-Stress Models Existing Results and Some Recent Developments

This "up-scaling" procedure will make use of homogenization concepts such as those presented in the previous chapters.

Elastic, Plastic and Yield Design of Reinforced Structures

This chapter discusses the approaches used in practice to insert new materials and processes technologies whose metallurgy and design were described in the previous chapters.

Metallurgy and Design of Alloys with Hierarchical Microstructures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Doubleheader In the previous chapter of this saga, the rains came.

The New York Times

This chapter is used to study the example discussed in the previous chapter.

Sketching User Experiences Getting the design right and the right design

The guidelines of batch membrane processes follow those presented in the previous chapter concerning continuous operation.

The Boundary Flux Handbook A Comprehensive Database of Critical and Threshold Flux Values for Membrane Practitioners

The waves explored in the previous chapter evolve in a fluid otherwise at rest, propagating without either growth or decay.

International Geophysics

In the previous chapter we've been told, carelessly, that she is "no longer a virgin" – and this "orgy" fills an empty space in the story: her honeymoon.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the previous chapters", ensure the reference is clear and easily identifiable for the reader. Avoid ambiguity by being specific about which concepts or ideas you are referring back to.

Common error

Avoid using "in the previous chapters" without specifying what information you are referencing. Instead of saying, 'As mentioned in the previous chapters,' provide a brief summary or specific detail to remind the reader of the relevant content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the previous chapters" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating the location of previously discussed information. Ludwig examples show it's frequently used to connect current discussions to past content, building upon established concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the previous chapters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, serving as an adverbial prepositional phrase to link current discussions with prior content. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appropriate for establishing context and coherence in various forms of writing. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, this phrase effectively directs readers to relevant background information. For clarity, be specific when referencing to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "in earlier chapters" or "in the preceding chapters" for stylistic variation. The phrase’s consistent usage across authoritative sources solidifies its reliability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in earlier chapters

Replaces "previous" with "earlier", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the sequence.

in the preceding chapters

Substitutes "previous" with "preceding", which is a more formal alternative with the same meaning.

in the foregoing chapters

Replaces "previous" with "foregoing", indicating chapters that come before the current one in a formal context.

as discussed in prior chapters

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of discussing content from earlier sections.

in chapters mentioned earlier

Rephrases to highlight that the chapters were explicitly mentioned before.

previously in this book

Generalizes to the entire book, not just specific chapters.

in the sections above

Uses a spatial metaphor instead of a temporal one, referring to the placement of the content.

as covered in preceding sections

Changes the structure and replaces "chapters" with "sections" to refer to parts of the text.

that were outlined above

Focuses on the act of outlining content, implying a summary was provided.

in the first few chapters

Specifies that the reference is to the first few chapters of the document

FAQs

How can I use "in the previous chapters" in a sentence?

You can use "in the previous chapters" to refer back to information or concepts discussed earlier in a book or document. For example, "In the previous chapters, we explored the historical context of the events described in this chapter."

What's a more formal alternative to "in the previous chapters"?

A more formal alternative to "in the previous chapters" is "in the preceding chapters", which uses a more elevated vocabulary.

Is it ever incorrect to use "in the previous chapters"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be unclear if the reference is too vague. Always make sure your readers can easily understand what you're referring to. If it's a long book, consider mentioning chapter titles or section numbers for better clarity.

How does "in the previous chapters" differ from "in the following chapters"?

"In the previous chapters" refers to content already presented, while "in the following chapters" indicates what will be discussed later in the text.