previous business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to matters or activities that were conducted before the current discussion or situation. Example: "Before we move on to the new project, let's review the previous business we discussed in our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'd sold my previous business and invested everything in it.

The Guardian

One of the methods is to re-engineer previous business model.

Procedia Computer Science

The network uses double-decker buses bought from a previous business in Hong Kong.

The New York Times - Travel

They resent that he assumes the Pioneers will bail him out, as previous business partners did.

The New York Times

When a payday falls on a Holiday, payday is moved back to the previous business day.

Harvard University

His previous business ventures include a Shanghai storage company called Love Box Self Storage.

The Economist

It compares recent movements in its indices with previous business cycles.

The Economist

Those links can be hometown, family, school, or previous business ties.

Harvard Business Review

His previous business, a mail-order cosmetics company, collapsed, leaving him and his associates with nothing.

The Guardian

Previous business targets of politicians have similarly been both popular and reviled.

The New York Times

This gives Microsoft the court sanction to reinstitute its previous business practices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's professional background, clearly specify the industry or sector of their "previous business" to provide context and relevance.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "previous business" without indicating its size or success. State whether it was a small startup, a medium-sized enterprise, or a large corporation to provide a clearer understanding of its scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous business" functions primarily as a modifier followed by a noun. It describes a business activity or entity that occurred before the current one being discussed. As Ludwig suggests, it's a straightforward way to refer to a past commercial endeavor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous business" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a past commercial enterprise. Ludwig's analysis and the provided examples confirm its widespread use in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "former company" or "prior enterprise" exist, "previous business" maintains a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for various situations. When using the phrase, specify the scale or industry of the "previous business" to provide more context. The analysis confirms it is correct to say, as reported by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pre-existing business

This version emphasizes that the business existed before another event or business.

prior enterprise

Replaces "business" with "enterprise" which refers to a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort.

former company

Focuses on the entity rather than the activity, denoting a company from the past.

past venture

Emphasizes the risk and potential reward aspect of the business activity.

earlier firm

Uses "firm" as a synonym for business, keeping the temporal aspect.

preceding operation

More formal, using "operation" to refer to the business activity.

old establishment

Highlights the physical presence of the business and its temporal state.

previous engagement

This term can be appropriate where the business relationship was more of a collaborative agreement.

bygone concern

More literary and old-fashioned, emphasizing that the business is no longer active.

historical commercial activity

Highly formal and descriptive, suitable for academic or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous business" to refer to a past company or venture, as in, "His success is largely attributed to the experience he gained from his "previous business".".

What's a simple way to rephrase "previous business"?

Consider using phrases like "former company" or "prior enterprise" as shorter alternatives.

Is it better to say "previous business" or "past business"?

Both "previous business" and "past business" are acceptable. "Previous business" might imply a more direct sequential relationship, while "past business" simply refers to a business from the past.

How does the context affect the choice of words like "previous business"?

In formal contexts, "previous business" might be preferred. In more casual settings, you could opt for "old company" or "past venture", depending on whether you want to emphasize the company itself or the entrepreneurial aspect.