previous discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous discussions" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to conversations or debates that have already taken place. For example, "The policy was agreed upon after previous discussions with stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have made that point in previous discussions".

The Guardian

"There were previous discussions, at Taba, at Camp David," he said.

The New York Times

But what has vanished is the unanimity that characterised previous discussions.

The Guardian - Business

Previous discussions between Jana and McGraw-Hill were described as cordial and civil by people briefed on the conversations.

The New York Times

Previous discussions on sharing costs between the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal came to nothing.

The Economist

On his arrival in Portugal, Wood could receive a few more caustic words given Jones has denied using the phrase "distinctly average" in their previous discussions.

The Guardian - Sport

The second witness, Charles Cook, also gave damaging testimony and told the jury that he had not had previous discussions with the police.

The New York Times

People close to AT&T said yesterday that the previous discussions with Comcast had been only cursory and that the two companies had not agreed on any issues.

The New York Times

Unlike previous discussions of fare increase, this one will not be a simple question of how much more to charge for a token.

The New York Times

Dubbed the "girlfriend app", the chatbot uses artificial-intelligence software to remember details from previous discussions and mines the web for question-and-answer style conversations.

The Guardian

John Scanlon, secretary-general of Cites, praised the achievement of the 178 member states, noting that previous discussions of valuable timber had been difficult.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous discussions", ensure the context clearly indicates what discussions you are referring to. Provide specific details or references if necessary to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience is familiar with the "previous discussions". Briefly summarize key points if necessary to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous discussions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It refers to conversations, meetings, or debates that occurred before the current point of reference. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous discussions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote earlier conversations or debates. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its function is to connect present circumstances to past dialogues. It is deemed appropriate across various contexts, as demonstrated by its prevalent use in news, academic, and business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the specific discussions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "earlier conversations", "prior talks", or "preliminary exchanges" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier conversations

Focuses on the conversational aspect rather than a formal discussion.

prior conversations

Similar to 'earlier conversations' but slightly more formal.

previous talks

Replaces "discussions" with a more informal term, "talks".

earlier deliberations

Suggests a more formal and considered process than "discussions".

preceding negotiations

Specifically refers to negotiation processes that have already occurred.

initial consultations

Emphasizes the consultative nature of the earlier meetings.

preliminary exchanges

Highlights the initial exchange of ideas or information.

aforementioned dialogues

A more formal way to refer to dialogues that have already been mentioned.

bygone debates

Implies that the debates are in the past and perhaps no longer relevant.

retrospective deliberations

Highlights the act of reviewing or reflecting on past deliberations.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous discussions" to refer to earlier conversations or debates, as in: "The policy changes were implemented following "previous discussions" with the board."

What are some alternatives to "previous discussions"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "earlier conversations", "prior talks", or "preliminary exchanges".

Is it appropriate to use "previous discussions" in formal writing?

Yes, "previous discussions" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and clear way to refer to earlier conversations or debates. More formal alternatives include "earlier deliberations" or "prior negotiations".

What's the difference between "previous discussions" and "background discussions"?

"Previous discussions" refers to specific conversations that have already taken place. "Background discussions", on the other hand, often refers to informal conversations or preliminary talks that provide context but may not be formally documented.