many earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many earlier" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to multiple instances or examples from an earlier time, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "There were many earlier studies that supported this theory."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Associations between hot flushes and smoking have been shown in many earlier studies [ 20, 23, 24].

BMC Women's Health

that derailed many earlier efforts to introduce programming to youth.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Many earlier listings, however, are trading below their offer prices.

The New York Times

Like many earlier explorers, Fraser seems happiest in the Antarctic.

The New Yorker

Apple slowly restored many earlier features in the intervening years.

The New York Times

That intimate portrait has many earlier counterparts among Stravinsky's songs.

The New York Times - Arts

The new findings mirror the results of many earlier studies.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, in many earlier studies, only 1-month time step has been used.

Journal of Hydrology

Many earlier studies have specifically examined the development of absorbers themselves.

Applied Acoustics

In contrast to many earlier concepts of this kind the present approach includes arbitrarily large deformations.

International Journal of Plasticity

Many earlier commentators had perceived such traits, but now they were attacked with more fundamental repugnance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, use "many previous", "numerous earlier", or "several prior" instead of "many earlier". These alternatives are grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid placing "many" directly before "earlier" as it disrupts the standard English adjective order. Use a more precise term like "previous" or "prior" to ensure correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many earlier" functions as a modifier, intending to specify a quantity of items or events that occurred at a prior time. Although widely used, Ludwig AI flags this phrase as grammatically incorrect. This indicates a potential need for alternative phrasing for improved clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "many earlier" is frequently used across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It aims to express multiple instances occurring at a previous time, often in academic, scientific, and news contexts. For clearer and more grammatically sound writing, consider alternatives like "many previous", "numerous earlier", or "several prior". Despite its common occurrence, prioritizing grammatical precision enhances the overall quality and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous previous

Focuses on the quantity and preceding nature, offering a more formal tone.

several prior

Emphasizes a limited quantity and chronological precedence, suitable for more specific contexts.

multiple earlier

Highlights the multiplicity of instances occurring before the present moment.

various preceding

Implies a variety of instances that came before, often used to introduce a list or range of examples.

a number of earlier

Indicates an unspecified quantity, maintaining a sense of plurality and precedence.

plenty of previous

Suggests abundance and precedence, suitable when emphasizing the amount of something.

loads of earlier

Informal way to denote high quantity in relation to time.

innumerable prior

Emphasizes that the number is too high to be counted, while preserving meaning of preceding

several earlier instances

Explicitly mentions the term instances to indicate events happening at a specific point of time.

many historical

Replacing the time reference to a general period when they happened.

FAQs

How can I use an alternative to "many earlier" in a sentence?

Consider alternatives like "numerous previous", "several prior", or "multiple earlier" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "many earlier" and "many previous"?

"Many previous" is grammatically preferred. "Earlier" typically modifies a noun, while "previous" is an adjective that directly describes the noun, such as "many previous attempts".

Is "many earlier" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "many earlier" is considered grammatically awkward. Alternatives like "many previous" or "numerous earlier" offer improved clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.

When should I use "previous" instead of "earlier"?

Use "previous" when referring to something that directly precedes the current subject in a sequence or time. For example, "many previous studies". "Earlier" is better when referring to a time in the more distant past.