preceding clause

USAGE SUMMARY

"preceding clause" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a clause in a sentence that comes before another clause. For example, "Although I had studied hard, I did not pass the exam due to a mistake in the preceding clause of the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The preceding clause is a suggested example only.

Columbia University

Notwithstanding the preceding clause, the sale of a chassis or body of a trailer or semitrailer ("trailer or semitrailer") less than six months after a taxable sale of the article shall be treated as a taxable sale.

Cornell University

Thereupon the taxing officers assessed the tax for that year, and also for 1919, by using in its computation the ratio specified in the last preceding clause of the statute—that is to say, a ratio fixed by contrasting the value of the company's railroad within the state with the value of its entire railroad within and without the state.

Cornell University

For purposes of determining whether any interest in a REMIC qualifies under clause (xi), any regular interest in another REMIC held by such REMIC shall be treated as a loan described in a preceding clause under principles similar to the principles of clause (xi); except that, if such REMIC's are part of a tiered structure, they shall be treated as 1 REMIC for purposes of clause (xi).

Cornell University

Conjunctions tie a message to the immediate context of the preceding clause.

Functional Linguistics

In a similar vein, the relevant information about the 'one'-phrase in (51) is specified in its preceding clause.

Lingua Sinica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

any regular or residual interest in a REMIC, but only in the proportion which the assets of such REMIC consist of property described in any of the preceding clauses of this subparagraph; except that if 95percentt or more of the assets of such REMIC are assets described in clauses (i) through (x), the entire interest in the REMIC shall qualify.

Cornell University

For example, in the context of a relative clause (signaled by a noun preceding that clause), a transitive verb may well lack an NP complement ( "I collected the money he threw down on the table")., and as a result, words following the verb may be tagged incorrectly (down as a noun).

SEP

Now, imagine it your significant other said to you, "Honey, I love you, but... ...... Or if your boss said to you, "You're doing a great job, but... ...... "This powerful conjunction puts a damper on the preceding positive clause," she explains.

Independent

A question mark often implies a "wh" somewhere in the clause preceding it.

WikiHow

Nonfinite verbs do not carry g-n-p markers, and they head subordinate clauses that precede the main clause in a complex sentence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preceding clause", ensure the context clearly indicates which clause you are referring to, especially in documents with multiple clauses or complex sentence structures.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding clause" when it's unclear which clause is being referenced. If ambiguity exists, be more specific (e.g., "the preceding clause in Section 2.1").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding clause" functions as a modifier or determiner, specifically indicating a clause that occurs before another clause within a sentence or text. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to refer back to a prior clause for clarification or continuation of thought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

41%

Science

32%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preceding clause" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term that serves to refer to a clause appearing earlier in a sentence or text. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its function is to provide clarity and reference, ensuring the reader can follow the logical flow of information. Predominantly found in academic, scientific, and legal writing, its formality reflects a need for precision. When using this phrase, make sure the context clearly indicates which clause is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "previous clause" or "earlier clause" exist, "preceding clause" is preferred in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous clause

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning.

foregoing clause

Employs "foregoing" as a formal synonym for "preceding".

earlier clause

Uses "earlier" to denote the clause that came before.

clause immediately preceding

Adds emphasis on the direct adjacency of the clause.

clause above

Uses "above" to indicate the clause that appears before the current one.

the clause that comes before

A more descriptive and less formal way of saying "preceding clause".

aforementioned clause

Refers to a clause previously mentioned, suitable for legal or formal writing.

the clause mentioned earlier

Highlights that the clause has been referenced before.

clause in the prior sentence

Specifies that the clause is in the sentence immediately before.

antecedent clause

Highlights the role of the clause as an antecedent.

FAQs

How do I use "preceding clause" in a sentence?

Use "preceding clause" to refer back to a clause that has already been mentioned in the text. For example, "As stated in the preceding clause, all members must attend."

What can I say instead of "preceding clause"?

You can use alternatives like "previous clause", "foregoing clause", or "earlier clause" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "preceding clause" or "following clause"?

"Preceding clause" refers to the clause that comes before, while "following clause" refers to the clause that comes after. Choose the term that accurately reflects the order you're describing.

What's the difference between "preceding clause" and "aforementioned clause"?

"Preceding clause" simply indicates the clause before the current one, while "aforementioned clause" /s/aforementioned+clause implies that the clause has been specifically mentioned and identified earlier in the text.