previous appointment

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous appointment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an appointment that has already happened. For example, "I had an appointment with the doctor last week, so I rescheduled my previous appointment for tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

To determine the cost-effectiveness of the previous appointment.

Atención Primaria

What effect the supersedeas had when it was afterwards obtained, on the previous appointment, we need not now consider.

Cornell University

What effect the supersedeas had, when it was afterwards obtained, on the previous appointment, we need not consider.

Cornell University

When we speak, he suggests that in the previous appointment in his office, with an American businessman, a job offer in the States has been mooted.

The Guardian

I have yet to see a real operation because the mere smell of a hospital reminds me of a previous appointment.

Columbia University

He was impeccably polite and hyperpunctual, always arriving 10 minutes early for the 5 p.m. Wednesday appointments he had made the month before as he left his previous appointment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The boom-and-bust cycle of Bath's previous appointments suggests simply appointing a new man to the coach's tracksuit will not instantly solve everything.

The Guardian - Sport

Many previous appointments had been frustrated at the last minute.

The New Yorker

Mr. Pataki's previous appointments to the Court of Appeals were Judges Richard C. Wesley and Albert M. Rosenblatt.

The New York Times

Unlike previous appointments to this role, we've run an open and competitive process.

The Guardian

Goetz has held previous appointments at the University of Potsdam and the London School of Economics.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When rescheduling, clearly state that you are referring to the "previous appointment" to avoid confusion. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I need to reschedule our previous appointment."

Common error

Don't assume the listener or reader knows which appointment you're referring to. Always provide context, especially if multiple appointments have been scheduled. Vague references can lead to misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous appointment" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies a specific appointment that occurred before the current time or context. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous appointment" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to an appointment that has already taken place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using the phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "earlier meeting" or "prior engagement" can be used depending on the formality and specific emphasis you want to convey. Remember to be clear in your communication to prevent misunderstandings about which "previous appointment" you're referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous booking

Focuses on the act of reserving or scheduling the appointment.

earlier meeting

Focuses on the meeting aspect, implying a potentially more formal setting.

prior engagement

Emphasizes the commitment or obligation associated with the appointment.

last scheduled meeting

Highlights the fact that the meeting was scheduled.

past consultation

Specifically refers to a consultation that has already taken place, often in a professional context.

past session

Suitable for contexts like therapy or training where the appointment is a session.

earlier scheduled time

Highlights the time aspect and scheduling of the appointment.

earlier commitment

Highlights the obligation of a previous commitment.

preceding arrangement

Emphasizes the agreed-upon nature of the appointment.

prior scheduled activity

Emphasizes appointment being scheduled.

FAQs

How do I use "previous appointment" in a sentence?

You can use "previous appointment" to refer to an appointment that has already occurred. For example, "I reviewed the notes from our "previous appointment" to prepare for today's meeting."

What can I say instead of "previous appointment"?

Alternatives include "earlier meeting", "prior engagement", or "past consultation", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "prior appointment" instead of "previous appointment"?

Both "prior appointment" and "previous appointment" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in most cases. However, "previous appointment" might be slightly more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "previous appointment" and "last appointment"?

"Last appointment" usually refers to the most recent appointment. "Previous appointment" can refer to any appointment before the current one, not necessarily the immediately preceding one.