previous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'previous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'previous' to refer to something that happened, existed, or was done before now or before the thing mentioned. For example: "In our previous meeting, we discussed several important topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

"I can subsequently confirm that there are still two unaccompanied minors on Manus, who were transferred there by the previous government.

The Guardian

"We knew this was a legacy issue which had been established by the previous government.

The Guardian

Though Caine is a previous winner, Law is already thought to be a surefire bet for his performance as a wastrel American shipping heir in The Talented Mr Ripley.

The Guardian - Film

My party and, indeed, the Conservative party have been on record as being very against the proposal by the previous Labour government, for instance, to legislate for a wider amnesty and we want to see the rule of law always be applied.

The Guardian

Each of the previous waves had come in response to a profound shift in the real economy.

The Economist

"Under the previous government immigration was far too high and badly out of control.

The Guardian

Children make up a third of the fatalities – the equivalent of one child killed each hour over the previous two days.

The Guardian

This was a worthy sequel to the previous day, when, as one wit remarked, a party with just one MP had managed a backbench rebellion – as Ukip's solitary presence in Westminster, Douglas Carswell resisted party pressure to take the parliamentary subsidy known as Short money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Email: [email protected] Ian McClelland managing director Ian's previous position was advising FremantleMedia Australia's regional CEOs with their digital strategy and business development.

The Guardian

Since the two sides sat down to negotiate an end to Colombia's 50-year-old internal conflict, the negotiators have achieved more progress than any previous effort to broker peace.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are referring back to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "previous" with redundant qualifiers like "past previous". "Previous" already implies something that happened before, so "past" is unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The word "previous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something occurred or existed before the current time or something else specified. Ludwig's examples showcase this in various contexts, such as "previous government" or "previous winner."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "previous" is an adjective used to indicate something that happened, existed, or was done before the present time or something else specified. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. It appears most often in news and media, but it is also common in formal business and scientific writing. When using "previous", ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what you are referring back to, and avoid redundant qualifiers like "past previous". Consider alternatives such as "prior" or "former" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior

Indicates something that comes before in time, order, or importance; slightly more formal.

former

Refers to what someone or something was in the past, especially concerning roles or positions.

earlier

Denotes something happening or existing before the present or a specific point in time; simpler and more direct.

preceding

Indicates something that comes immediately before something else in a sequence or order; often used in formal contexts.

antecedent

Refers to something that existed before or logically precedes another; used in formal or technical contexts.

past

Simply refers to what has already happened or existed.

ex

A shorthand way to indicate a former role or relationship.

pre-existing

Highlights that something existed before a particular event or time.

then

Used to describe someone or something at a specific time in the past.

bygone

Indicates something belonging to an earlier time, often with a nostalgic or historical connotation.

FAQs

How to use "previous" in a sentence?

Use "previous" to refer to something that occurred or existed before the current time or a specified point. For example, "The "previous owner" made several improvements to the house."

What can I say instead of "previous"?

You can use alternatives like "prior", "former", or "earlier" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "previous experience" or "prior experience"?

Both "previous experience" and "prior experience" are correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey, with "prior" sometimes sounding slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "previous" and "following"?

"Previous" refers to something that came before, while "following" refers to something that comes after. They are antonyms indicating opposite positions in a sequence or time.