previous businesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous businesses" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to any businesses that have been owned or operated by a person in the past. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as when discussing a person's work history or when comparing the success of different businesses. Example: "John has extensive experience in the business world, having owned and managed three previous businesses before starting his current venture." In this sentence, "previous businesses" refers to the businesses that John owned and managed before his current one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Reed's previous businesses include Belu Water and Ecocap Ltd.

The Guardian

In previous businesses, like TNK-BP, Blavatnik was a relatively hands-off investor.

The New Yorker

Broad's not-for-profit enterprise resembles his previous businesses in its corporate structure, analytic rigor, and insistence on quantifiable results.

The New Yorker

Brother C (C) is a serial entrepreneur whose previous businesses include a kebab/pizza shop.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This is their third business together; previous businesses included a cash and carry and a pizza delivery service.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Simon is a serial entrepreneur, whose previous businesses include Sodatech and Sodapix.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

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

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

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's professional background, use "previous businesses" to clearly indicate past entrepreneurial projects. For example: "Her investment decisions are informed by her experience with "previous businesses".

Common error

Avoid using "previous businesses" when referring to ongoing ventures. "Previous businesses" indicates ventures that are no longer active. Be specific and state clearly if businesses are active or inactive in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous businesses" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and refers to any businesses that have been owned or operated in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous businesses" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that refers to past entrepreneurial ventures. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates its application across diverse contexts, prominently in News & Media and Science. While the phrase itself is straightforward, nuanced alternatives such as "former companies" or "past ventures" can subtly shift the emphasis. Remember to clarify the context in which "previous businesses" is being used: ensure that you are not using the phrase to describe active ventures, and that you’re specific about if the ventures are active or inactive. By attending to these details, writers can communicate information about past entrepreneurial activities with both accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former companies

Replaces "businesses" with "companies", emphasizing the corporate structure.

past ventures

Substitutes "businesses" with "ventures", highlighting the risk and innovation involved.

earlier enterprises

Uses "enterprises" to suggest a more formal or ambitious undertaking.

previous entrepreneurial endeavors

Adds "entrepreneurial" to emphasize the business's origin and leadership.

prior establishments

Employs "establishments" to focus on the physical or institutional aspect of the businesses.

previous commercial activities

Replaces "businesses" with a more descriptive phrase, "commercial activities", for clarity.

bygone firms

Uses "bygone firms" to imply that these companies no longer exist, adding a sense of history.

preceding ventures

Emphasizes the temporal order of the businesses, indicating they came before the current one.

prior business experience

Shifts the focus from specific businesses to the general experience gained.

track record in business

Highlights overall business performance and results.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous businesses" to describe a person's past entrepreneurial ventures, like in the sentence "His success is built upon the lessons learned from his "previous businesses".

What is a more formal way to say "previous businesses"?

More formal alternatives to "previous businesses" include "former companies" or "prior establishments", which emphasize the established nature of those ventures.

Which is correct, "previous businesses" or "prior businesses"?

Both "previous businesses" and "prior businesses" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable, but "previous" often implies a direct sequence or recent occurrence, while "prior" suggests a more general earlier time.

Can I use "previous businesses" to refer to non-profit organizations?

While "previous businesses" typically refers to for-profit ventures, you can use it in the context of non-profit organizations if they were operated with a business-like model or entrepreneurial approach. Otherwise, terms like "previous organizations" or "previous projects" might be more accurate.