in the previous section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the previous section" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information that was discussed in a preceding section, for example: "In the previous section, we discussed how to set up a garden bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take the joke that you wrote in the previous section and take it apart.

The Guardian - Books

But to have described Dibdin's fiction in the previous section as "British", though technically correct, feels uneasy.

The Guardian - Books

discussed in the previous section.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The GARX models in the previous section show that: 1.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

We introduced the street network model in the previous section.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

(DP-2 Let DP-2 Leted as in the previous section.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

In the previous section it was shown that.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

In the previous section, the IDR exceeded 100%.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Furthermore, we validate our mathematical analysis in the previous section.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The simulated network scenario was described in the previous section.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Instrument settings have been described in the previous section.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the previous section" to clearly direct the reader to a specific part of your document for relevant background information.

Common error

Avoid vague references like "as mentioned above" when a more precise reference using "in the previous section" would improve clarity and prevent reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the previous section" serves as a transitional phrase, guiding readers to locate related information discussed earlier in the text. It acts as a signpost, ensuring clarity and coherence within a document. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the previous section" is a grammatically sound and frequently used transitional phrase, particularly in scientific and journalistic writing. It serves as a signpost to guide readers back to relevant information discussed earlier in a document. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for clearly referencing prior content. Alternatives like "as discussed earlier" or "in the preceding section" can be used to vary your writing style, but "in the previous section" remains a clear and direct option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier in this paper

This alternative is more specific and confined to the same document.

in the preceding part

This alternative is more formal and highlights the sequential order of the text.

in the prior segment

This alternative uses a different term for "section", maintaining a similar meaning.

as discussed earlier

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the act of discussion.

as mentioned before

This alternative highlights the act of mentioning something previously.

in the foregoing section

This alternative sounds more archaic and emphasizes the movement forward in the text to reach the current point.

as detailed above

This alternative explicitly refers to prior details, suitable when elaborating on a subject.

previously stated

This alternative emphasizes the formal declaration of information.

beforehand

This option is more informal, omitting the context of "section".

above

This is a very concise way to refer to something previously stated but less explicit about where to find it.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the previous section" to refer back to information that has already been presented. For example, "In the previous section, we discussed the methodology used in this study."

What is a more formal alternative to "in the previous section"?

A more formal alternative to "in the previous section" is "in the preceding section", which emphasizes the sequential order of the text.

Is "in the previous section" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "in the previous section" is appropriate for academic writing as it provides a clear and direct reference to a prior part of the text.

What's the difference between "in the previous section" and "as mentioned earlier"?

"In the previous section" specifically points to a section within a document, while "as mentioned earlier" is a more general reference to something previously stated, without specifying its location.