previous conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conversation that happened before the current moment. For example: "We mentioned this idea in our previous conversation, let's revisit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Did he imagine the previous conversation?

The Guardian - Film

The previous Conversation, between two surgeons, revealed that sometimes gender really can be an issue.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We got some criticism online for our previous conversation about her.

The New Yorker

First, having had a previous conversation with the patient about her preferences for treatment.

The New York Times

The girl from the Grand Palais remembered many small details of their previous conversation.

The Economist

I imagined this painting referenced some previous conversation or inside joke.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This echoed previous conversations I'd had.

The New Yorker

"You're Jewish, aren't you, Seymour?" In all our previous conversations, I'd been "Sy".

The New Yorker

For more information and to view previous conversations, visit campusconversations.berkeley.edu.edu

University of California, Berkeley

"He says Boris is really a 'confused Inner', and their previous conversations confirmed that view to him," he wrote.

The Guardian

In the New York Times article and previous conversations, the company had seemed comfortable using the "synthetic biology" moniker to describe their new ingredient.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing a "previous conversation", briefly summarize key points to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially if time has passed since the original discussion.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone remembers the details of the "previous conversation". Always provide context or a brief recap to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous conversation" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a discussion that took place before the current moment. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous conversation" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to an earlier discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in written English. With 66 examples identified, it sees frequent use in News & Media and Academia. Alternatives such as "earlier discussion" or "prior conversation" can add nuance. When using "previous conversation", it is important to recap key points as a way to ensure a shared understanding and avoid assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier discussion

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the conversation occurring at an earlier time.

prior discussion

Similar to 'earlier discussion' but may imply a more formal setting.

past exchange

Highlights the interactive nature of the conversation as an exchange of ideas.

initial dialogue

Refers to the beginning or first instance of a conversation.

preceding talk

Stresses the sequential order of the conversation happening before the current one.

former chat

Suggests a more informal conversation that happened in the past.

original conversation

Implies that this was the first conversation on a particular topic.

earlier communication

Broadens the scope to include any form of communication, not just spoken.

preliminary discussion

Suggests that the conversation served as preparation for something else.

bygone conversation

Adds a sense of finality and distance to the past conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous conversation" to refer back to an earlier discussion, for example: "Referring to our "previous conversation", I wanted to follow up on the action items."

What's an alternative to saying "previous conversation"?

Alternatives include "earlier discussion", "prior conversation", or "past exchange", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "past previous conversation"?

Yes, saying "past previous conversation" is redundant because "previous" already implies that the conversation happened in the past. It's best to stick with just ""previous conversation"".

How formal is the phrase "previous conversation"?

The phrase ""previous conversation"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various types of communication.