previous Monday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous Monday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the Monday that occurred before the current week or the most recent Monday in the past. Example: "We had a meeting on the previous Monday to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

He had returned to the races the previous Monday and romped off with the Oneonta Handicap.

The New Yorker

(On the same subject, see a previous Monday Note: The press, Google, its algorithm, their scale).

The Guardian - Tech

Among viewers ages 18 to 49, Mr. Colbert attracted about 980,000, more than double the previous Monday.

The New York Times

Last night The Palace matched its audience from the previous Monday and was up by one share point.

The Guardian

The apartment, which had gone on the market the previous Monday, had 15 bids five days later.

The New York Times

And on the previous Monday — the 65th anniversary of a deadly 1947 tornado — seven tornadoes touched down.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

He described the previous day as "momentous".

The New Yorker

The previous day, the number was 507.

The New York Times

Heath had turned 32 the previous day.

The Guardian - Sport

It was last Tuesday, not the previous day.

The New York Times

"Every day is worse than the previous day".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous Monday", ensure the context is clear. If there's any ambiguity about which Monday you're referring to, provide additional details for clarity. For example, "previous Monday, July 21st".

Common error

Avoid using "previous Monday" without sufficient context, as readers might misinterpret which Monday you're referring to. Use a more specific date or timeframe if necessary to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous Monday" functions as a noun phrase that acts as an adverbial of time, specifying when an event occurred in relation to the current time. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is a valid and common way to denote a specific day.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previous Monday" is a grammatically sound and commonly used temporal reference to specify the Monday of the week preceding the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Simpler alternatives like "last Monday" exist for more casual communication, while slightly more formal options such as "the Monday prior" can be used when a more elevated tone is desired. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential for ambiguity, you can effectively incorporate "previous Monday" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last Monday

This is a more common and concise way of saying "previous Monday".

the Monday before

This alternative emphasizes the Monday preceding a specific event or date.

the Monday prior

Using "prior" instead of "previous" offers a slightly more formal tone.

earlier Monday

This emphasizes that the Monday in question occurred at an earlier point in time.

the Monday preceding

A more formal and structured way to refer to the Monday before.

the Monday gone by

This offers a more informal, conversational alternative.

the Monday just passed

Emphasizes that the Monday was the most recent one.

that Monday

Requires context to understand which Monday is being referenced.

the Monday in the prior week

This is a more descriptive and less ambiguous way of specifying the Monday.

the beginning of last week

Focuses on the start of the week, rather than a specific day.

FAQs

How can I use "previous Monday" in a sentence?

You can use "previous Monday" to refer to an event that happened on the Monday of the week before the current one. For example, "The meeting was held on the previous Monday".

What's a simpler alternative to "previous Monday"?

A simpler alternative to "previous Monday" is "last Monday", which is more commonly used and easily understood.

Is there a more formal way to say "previous Monday"?

While "previous Monday" is already fairly neutral, you could use a slightly more formal phrasing like "the Monday prior" to add a touch of formality.

How do I avoid ambiguity when using "previous Monday"?

To avoid any potential ambiguity, specify the date along with the phrase, such as "previous Monday, July 21st" or provide additional context to clarify which Monday you are referring to.