previous and present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous and present" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to both past and current situations, events, or conditions. Example: "The study examines the effects of climate change on agriculture, considering both previous and present data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is why it is worthwhile to discover and expose the likelihood of Saddam's previous and present connections to mass murder.

The New York Times

Alpine glaciers advanced far below their previous (and present) limits, obliterating farms, churches, and villages in Switzerland, France, and elsewhere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The most recent efforts to narrow the chasm between previous and present results have been wide-ranging.

The New York Times

Notice anything funny about those names, and some of the others at the heart of the previous and present furores over political funding?

The Economist

(d) Comparison between previous and present models.

Earth, Planets and Space

The results are in qualitative agreement with previous and present experimental observations.

Combustion and Flame

Population is measured as the change in the share of 15 18 year-olds between previous and present year.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

We do not believe that these differences, or the subtle differences in target-intensity, can explain the discrepancy between previous and present results.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Figure 11 shows a comparison of the previous and present fault models, derived from ENVISAT/ASAR and ALOS/PALSAR data, respectively.

Earth, Planets and Space

Our previous and present studies also suggest that five QTLs (DRO1 to DRO5) control RGA in Kinandang Patong (Uga et al. 2013a, 2013b, 2015).

Rice

Previous and present breeding programs have shown that restoration of quality and agronomic traits while introducing new traits by outcrossing with wild germplasm is very difficult.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previous and present" to clearly indicate a comparison or relationship between past and current conditions, states, or actions. This phrase is versatile and applicable across various contexts, from academic writing to general communication.

Common error

Be mindful of using "previous and present" when the context already implies a comparison between past and current states. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for more concise alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous and present" functions as a modifier to describe something that encompasses both past and current aspects. Ludwig indicates that this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous and present" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote both past and current states. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, this phrase serves to provide a comprehensive understanding by bridging historical and contemporary perspectives. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential redundancy, as highlighted in the writing guidance. Alternatives like "past and current" or "former and current" can offer more concise options where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past and current

Replaces "previous" with "past" and "present" with "current", offering a slightly more common and straightforward alternative.

previous and current status

Emphasizes the 'status' aspect of past and present situations.

former and current

Substitutes "previous" with "former", indicating a state that existed before the current one.

past and existing

Replaces "present" with "existing", emphasizing the current state of being.

historical and contemporary

Uses more formal terms, "historical" for "previous" and "contemporary" for "present", suitable for academic or formal contexts.

earlier and present-day

Replaces present with "present-day" clarifying the reference to modern times.

then and now

Offers a concise and idiomatic expression to contrast past and present conditions.

before and now

A simpler, less formal way to indicate a comparison between a past state and the present.

in the past and today

Specifies "in the past" for clarity, contrasting it with "today".

old and new

Uses basic terms to contrast past and present, suitable for simple explanations.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous and present" to compare past and current conditions, for example, "The analysis considers both the "previous and present" economic policies of the country."

What's a more formal alternative to "previous and present"?

For a more formal tone, you can use "historical and contemporary" to refer to past and current states, especially in academic or professional writing.

Is there a simpler way to say "previous and present"?

Yes, you can use "past and current" as a more straightforward and commonly used alternative to "previous and present".

When should I use "previous and present" instead of "past and future"?

"Previous and present" focuses on comparing past conditions to the current state, while "past and future" refers to events or conditions that have already occurred and those that will occur, so the choice depends on whether you're contrasting with the current state or projecting into what's yet to come.