previous commitments

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous commitments" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It refers to obligations or promises that have been made and agreed to in the past. Example: "I'm sorry, I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow due to my previous commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Haste blamed previous commitments.

The Guardian - Business

On house building, previous commitments from Labour come to nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But ADM's new policy does advance from previous commitments.

The Guardian

"That also means Greece sticking to its previous commitments".

The Guardian

Previous commitments kept him from taking the part, and Sean Connery prevailed.

The New York Times

The announcement follows previous commitments, which included formal recognition of the Cornish language.

The Guardian

Leaders also reaffirmed previous commitments to help poor countries protect their people from climate change.

The Guardian

The language, from the Central Economic Work conference, was broadly in line with previous commitments.

The New York Times

The government has basically abandoned its previous commitments to curb traffic.

The Economist

The executives contended either that they had previous commitments or that they had never received an official invitation.

The New York Times

The delay resulted from his previous commitments to the St . PetersburgPhilharmonic, which he has directed since 1988.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes in strategy or policy, clearly acknowledge how new actions align with or diverge from "previous commitments". This demonstrates transparency and accountability.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience knows the specifics of "previous commitments". Briefly contextualize or reference the agreements to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous commitments" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it denotes responsibilities or promises made at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous commitments" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to obligations or promises made in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various contexts. The primary contexts for its use are news and media, formal business settings, and scientific publications. When writing, remember to provide context for the "previous commitments" you mention to ensure your audience understands the specific agreements you are referencing. Alternatives like /s/prior+engagements or /s/past+obligations can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remembering the potential for misinterpretation and focusing on clarity will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior engagements

This alternative emphasizes the scheduling aspect of previous obligations.

earlier pledges

This alternative focuses on promises or assurances given at an earlier time.

past obligations

This term highlights the binding nature of commitments from the past.

existing responsibilities

This alternative broadens the scope to include general duties and responsibilities.

outstanding duties

This phrase stresses that the commitments are still in effect and need to be fulfilled.

unfulfilled promises

This focuses on the aspect of commitments that have not yet been completed.

long-standing agreements

This alternative refers to agreements or arrangements that have been in place for a significant period.

historical debts

This metaphorically describes commitments as obligations or debts accrued over time.

legacy burdens

This emphasizes the negative aspect of commitments as something weighing down the present.

inherited mandates

This alternative suggests that the commitments were passed down from a predecessor or previous authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous commitments" to explain why someone is unable to do something, or to refer to agreements made earlier. For example, "Due to /s/prior+engagements, I am unable to attend the meeting."

What's the difference between "previous commitments" and /s/current+obligations?

"Previous commitments" refer to obligations made in the past, while /s/current+obligations are responsibilities that exist now. "Previous commitments" might influence /s/current+obligations.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "previous commitments"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like /s/prior+engagements, /s/earlier+pledges, or /s/past+obligations.

Is it always necessary to honor "previous commitments"?

While honoring "previous commitments" is generally expected, circumstances can arise where it's necessary to renegotiate or adjust them. However, doing so requires careful consideration and communication.