past performance

USAGE SUMMARY

'past performance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to how someone or something has performed in the past, usually in comparison to how it is performing now. For example, "The company's past performance has been consistently strong, but its recent results have been poor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Past performance is key.

The New York Times

Part of this is about past performance.

The New York Times

Does past performance guarantee future returns?

The New York Times

Its past performance does not bode well.

The Economist

Given their past performance, many doubt this.

The Economist

Who can blame them, given past performance?

The New York Times

But past performance need not imply continued disappointment in future.

The Economist

Investors choose fund managers on the basis of past performance.

The Economist

Their models extrapolate past performance into the future.

The New York Times

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns".

The New York Times

In the past, performance was measured against internal goals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, clarify that "past performance" is not indicative of future results to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that strong "past performance" guarantees future success. Consider other factors like current market conditions and evolving strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past performance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a record of achievement or behavior over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past performance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that refers to a record of prior achievements or behaviors. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and broadly applicable. While frequently employed in contexts such as news, media, and business, it's crucial to remember that, as many examples illustrate, "past performance" is not necessarily indicative of future results. Therefore, it should be considered alongside other relevant factors when making predictions or evaluations. When writing, be mindful of this common caveat and manage expectations accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous results

Focuses specifically on the outcomes or achievements in the past.

historical track record

Implies a documented history of accomplishments or failures.

prior achievements

Highlights successes and accomplishments from the past.

earlier showing

Refers to a specific instance of demonstrating ability or quality in the past.

preceding behavior

Emphasizes the actions or conduct exhibited in the past.

track record

Implies a history, good or bad, to be taken into consideration.

historical performance

More general term encompassing all kinds of activity in the past.

antecedent success

Refers only to successes in the past, omitting failures.

past accomplishments

Emphasizes successful achievements in the past.

historical data

Focuses on the data related to activities in the past, and does not imply a value judgement.

FAQs

How can I use "past performance" in a sentence?

You can use "past performance" to refer to how someone or something has done in the past, such as "The company's "past performance" has been consistently strong."

What is a synonym for "past performance"?

Alternatives include "previous results", "historical track record", or "prior achievements", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it accurate to predict future outcomes based solely on "past performance"?

It is generally not accurate. As often stated, "past performance" is not necessarily indicative of future results. Consider multiple factors for a comprehensive forecast.

What factors should I consider besides "past performance" when evaluating an investment?

Consider factors such as current market conditions, management strategies, and economic forecasts, as "past performance" alone is not a reliable predictor.