Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
previous citation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "previous citation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a citation that has been mentioned earlier in the text. For example, "As noted in the previous citation, the results were significant." Alternative expressions include "earlier reference" and "prior citation."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(19)
reference above
as noted earlier
according to what was previously stated
as detailed before
previously cited
mention above
above mentioned clarified
mentioned above
previously stated
aforementioned
in the preceding section
as discussed before
as already stated
above-mentioned
in the prior discussion
discussed earlier
referred herein
specified herein
identified above
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
11 human-written examples
It was the second alcohol-related charge for Jenna, a student at the University of Texas, who pleaded no contest to a previous citation just two weeks ago.
News & Media
We find that previous citation impact, level of international collaboration and total publications in a specific scientific field are important determinants of citation impact among all nations.
Science
In addition to supporting citation patterns identified in previous citation analyses, this study revealed some novel relationships involving formats and subjects.
In their research, 85.14 % of older participants believed themselves as either good or excellent drivers regardless of their actual previous citation or crash rates.
Continuing a feature introduced in last year's presentation of Laureates, an online "People's Choice" poll permits readers to vote on their favorite Nobel-worthy candidates, either from this year's new batch or from among previous Citation Laureate selections who still await the call from Stockholm.
News & Media
Bibliometric data on articles that were cited at least 100 times were collected, similar to previous citation investigations [ 16].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
49 human-written examples
A department hearing is scheduled for Jan . 24on two of the previous citations, both issued to Bovis on Oct. 26.
News & Media
Other articles [18 21] (n = 4) were added manually after reading the bibliography of previous citations.
Methods for broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations closely followed the guidelines put forth by the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute as well as previous citations.
Science
Curiously, note that in the previous quotation, their citation 50 refers to the negative findings of Setiawan et al. [ 18] but they do not further mention or comment on this article, and the negative findings of Mosquera-Miguel et al. [ 5] are not cited at all.
Science
Citation tracking was used to identify additional studies from the reference lists of previous (backward citation tracking) and future (forward citation tracking) relevant studies.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "previous citation", ensure the citation is clearly identifiable and easily located by the reader, especially in lengthy documents.
Common error
Avoid using "previous citation" if there are multiple citations in close proximity. Instead, specify the citation with more detail or a unique identifier to prevent ambiguity.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "previous citation" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner (previous) modifying a noun (citation). It is used to refer to a source that has already been mentioned or cited earlier in a text or document, as supported by Ludwig's examples.
Frequent in
Science
61%
News & Media
32%
Formal & Business
7%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "previous citation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to a source already mentioned earlier in a text. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across academic, news, and formal contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying the citation, especially when multiple sources are nearby. For more formal writing, alternatives like "aforementioned citation" can be considered. Use it effectively to enhance clarity and avoid redundancy in your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
earlier citation
Replaces "previous" with "earlier", maintaining a direct synonym for temporal precedence.
prior reference
Substitutes both "previous" and "citation" with synonyms, altering the specific vocabulary while retaining the core meaning.
aforementioned citation
Uses a more formal term, "aforementioned", to indicate something previously mentioned.
citation above
Refers to a citation located earlier in the text.
citation mentioned earlier
Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the citation being previously discussed.
preceding citation
Employs "preceding" as a more formal alternative to "previous".
reference above
Uses "reference" instead of "citation", broadening the concept slightly.
citation from before
Informal phrasing indicating a citation made earlier.
the citation in the last section
Specifies the location of the earlier citation within the document.
the citation noted above
More direct reference of the position of citation mentioned before.
FAQs
How can I use "previous citation" in a sentence?
You can use "previous citation" to refer back to a source already mentioned, like this: "As stated in the "previous citation", further research is needed."
What is a more formal alternative to "previous citation"?
For a more formal tone, consider using "aforementioned citation" or "prior reference".
Is it okay to use "previous citation" multiple times in the same document?
While grammatically correct, frequent repetition of ""previous citation"" can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or being more specific about which citation you're referencing.
What's the difference between "previous citation" and "following citation"?
"Previous citation" refers to a source already mentioned, while "following citation" would refer to a source that will be mentioned later in the text.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested