plus the two earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plus the two earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when adding to a previous count or list, indicating that you are including two items that were mentioned earlier. Example: "We have five new projects this quarter, plus the two earlier that were postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was also charged with the two earlier robberies.

The New Yorker

The two earliest studies gave plasmoquine plus quinine every three weeks for three rounds (Kligler 1931 PSE) and atebrin plus plasmochin once only (Simeons 1938 IND).

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

These are the two earliest heat illnesses.

WikiHow

The four early voting states are circled.

Independent

Of the four early awards, three seem like slam dunks.

The New York Times

These and 17 other paintings, most from the past six years, plus seven earlier (and unfortunately less-compelling) sculptures, are on view in "Merion Estes: Unnatural Disasters" at the Craft & Folk Art Museum.

Los Angeles Times

Salmond rejected two earlier dates suggested by the BBC.

The Guardian

The two met earlier in December.

Duke University

Two earlier arrests made bigger headlines.

The Economist

Two earlier marriages ended in divorce.

The New York Times

Its victory exorcised two earlier defeats.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plus the two earlier" when you want to succinctly add two items already referenced to a current total or consideration. This phrase works well in both informal and moderately formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "plus the two earlier" can sound too informal for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "in addition to the two previously mentioned" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plus the two earlier" functions as an additive phrase, indicating that two previously mentioned items are being added to a current total or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plus the two earlier" is a grammatically correct additive phrase used to include two previously mentioned items or events. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate for general use, though potentially too informal for strictly formal writing. Its usage spans across News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, though it is considered a rare phrase. Alternative phrases, such as "in addition to the two previously mentioned", can offer a more formal tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

along with the two previous ones

Replaces "plus" with "along with" and "earlier" with "previous", offering a slightly more casual tone.

together with the two prior

Replaces "plus" with "together with" and "earlier" with "prior", slightly formalizing the tone.

including the two that came before

Uses "including" instead of "plus" and rephrases "the two earlier" for clarity.

and also the two preceding

Employs "and also" for addition and "preceding" for "earlier", maintaining a formal tone.

incorporating the two earlier items

Uses "incorporating" for "plus" and "items" to generalize, suitable for lists or sets of things.

in addition to the two aforementioned

Substitutes "plus" with "in addition to" and "earlier" with "aforementioned", making it more formal and explicit.

besides the two formerly stated

Replaces "plus" with "besides" and "earlier" with "formerly stated", increasing formality and precision.

with the addition of the two former

Replaces "plus" with "with the addition of" and "earlier" with "former", making the phrase more descriptive.

coupled with the two initial

Substitutes "plus" with "coupled with" and "earlier" with "initial", creating a more technical or structured feel.

supplemented by the two foregoing

Uses "supplemented by" instead of "plus" and "foregoing" for "earlier", significantly increasing formality.

FAQs

How can I use "plus the two earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "plus the two earlier" to add to a previous count or list. For example, "We have five new projects this quarter, plus the two earlier that were postponed."

What are some alternatives to "plus the two earlier"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in addition to the two "previously mentioned"", "along with the two "prior"", or "including the two "aforementioned"", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "plus the two earlier" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "plus the two earlier" may be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "in addition to the two "previously mentioned"" in those contexts.

What's the difference between "plus the two earlier" and "in addition to the two earlier"?

"Plus the two earlier" is more concise and slightly less formal than "in addition to the two "earlier"". The latter is often preferred in formal or academic writing for its increased clarity and formality.