previous and current

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous and current" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to things that existed or were relevant in the past as well as those that are relevant now. Example: "The report compares the previous and current performance metrics to assess improvements over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The decision of both the previous and current administrations to disregard this law is unacceptable".

The New York Times

Selected by distinguished previous and current editors, this ample anthology celebrates 50 years of the excellent Modern Poetry in Translation.

The Guardian - Books

Calcium absorption varies depending on previous and current levels of calcium intake and type of diet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The previous and current governments — under the prime ministers Mario Monti and Enrico Letta — tried to sort this out.

The New York Times

So, are India's power ministers (both previous and current) and its electricity-guzzling northern states off the hook?

The New York Times

To the Editor: I disagree with David Brooks's view of previous and current reductions in military spending.

The New York Times

The commission "appears to have done nothing more than compile and rehash previous and current proposals by the governor," said Sheldon Silver, a Democrat and the Assembly speaker.

The New York Times

The academy castigates attempts by previous and current governments to counter obesity as "piecemeal and disappointingly ineffective", and woefully inadequate given the scale of the problem.

The Guardian

But the previous and current governments have said this will not happen until the next decade at the earliest, and possibly the one after.

The Guardian

The formal response from BIS reflected the previous and current Government's enthusiasm for all things associated with the sharing economy, but resolved few of these questions.

The Guardian

Figure 2 summarises previous and current developments to volcanic ash fragility functions for surface transportation.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previous and current" when comparing or contrasting conditions, states, or practices that existed in the past with those that exist now. This phrase is particularly effective in reports, analyses, and discussions involving change over time.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "previous and current". Ensure that the verbs associated with both "previous" and "current" aspects are consistent and appropriate for the time frame you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous and current" functions as a compound adjective, modifying nouns by specifying that both past and present instances or states are being considered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous and current" serves as a compound adjective used to describe something by including both its past and present states. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, especially in science, news, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure consistency in tense and avoid redundancy. Consider using alternatives like "past and present" or "former and current" for variety. It is important to use the phrase to contrast conditions, states, or practices from the past with those of the present to highlight change over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past and present

Emphasizes a contrast and connection between former and existing conditions or states. It is a more classic wording.

former and current

Highlights a change from a past state to the existing one. It is very similar in meaning but uses different adjectives.

earlier and present

Similar to "previous and current" but gives more focus on the temporal aspect. It implies a direct timeline.

past and ongoing

Emphasizes that something from the past continues into the present. It underlines the continuation more strongly.

historical and existing

Highlights how something evolved over time until the present. Good to use in academic and historical contexts.

then and now

Offers a more concise way to denote a change or comparison between a past state and the present. It is less formal and concise.

before and after

Indicates changes that have occurred, with a strong before-and-after contrast.

once and now

Less common and suitable when emphasizing a significant difference from the past to the present.

yesterday and today

Emphasizes the temporal difference between the immediate past and the present day.

old and new

Focuses on a contrast between older, established things and newer, more recent things.

FAQs

How can I use "previous and current" in a sentence?

The phrase "previous and current" is used to compare or contrast something from the past with its present state. For example, "The report analyzes the "previous and current" economic policies to determine their effectiveness".

What are some alternatives to saying "previous and current"?

Alternatives include "past and present", "former and current", or "historical and existing", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "previous and current" versus "past and present"?

"Previous and current" is best when referring to a specific, recent change or comparison, while "past and present" is more general and suitable for broader historical contexts.

Is it redundant to use both "previous" and "current" together?

No, using "previous and current" together clarifies that you are specifically addressing both a past state and the existing state, which is useful for comparison or analysis. Removing either word would alter the intended meaning.