previous effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing past attempts or actions that have already been made. Example: Despite their previous efforts, the team was unable to win the championship. In this sentence, "previous effort" refers to the team's previous attempts to win the championship. Example 2: The company's success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of its employees, as well as its previous efforts to expand into new markets. In this example, "previous efforts" refers to the company's past actions and strategies to enter new markets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A previous effort had failed ignominiously.

The New York Times - Books

A previous effort had struggled with competing forces.

The New York Times

Sorry for the previous effort,' " Ms. Ruttner said.

The New York Times

The action star's previous effort, Parker, opened with £569,000 in March.

The Guardian - Film

A previous effort to restore another ignominious site, the Fort Dimanche prison, failed.

The New York Times

The brand will hope Minghella's work gets a better reception than its previous effort, Moth.

The Guardian

His previous effort, Femme Fatale, for example, was a far better movie than The Black Dahlia.

The Guardian - Film

But those people have not responded with the public rage that undermined the previous effort.

The New York Times

But it failed in a previous effort to expand into American shopping malls.

The New York Times

Discovery's previous effort, a collaboration with the BBC, was a five-part series in 1994.

The New York Times

It clearly surpasses the best previous effort, Bruce Perry's 1991 study.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "previous effort", clearly state its outcome or impact to provide context for current actions. For instance, clarify whether it succeeded, failed, or yielded partial results.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience is familiar with the "previous effort". Briefly summarize its key aspects to ensure everyone understands the context, especially in reports or presentations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous effort" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig shows how it references earlier attempts or undertakings, providing context for subsequent actions or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous effort" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a past attempt or undertaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its strength lies in providing context and highlighting the relationship between past actions and present outcomes. It appears most often in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "previous effort", ensure you provide enough context for your audience to understand the specific attempt you're referencing. Consider alternatives like "prior attempt" or "earlier endeavor" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior attempt

Focuses specifically on the act of trying, highlighting the element of experimentation and potential failure.

earlier endeavor

Emphasizes the ambition and purpose of the undertaking, often suggesting a more significant project.

past undertaking

Highlights the completed nature of the effort, emphasizing its historical context.

preceding action

Focuses on the sequence of events, positioning the effort as something that came before.

initial attempt

Highlights that this was the first try. It might imply more attempts followed.

previous trial

Highlights the experimental nature of the previous effort and the expectation of learning from it.

former exercise

Suggests a more structured or routine application of effort, perhaps as part of a larger process.

historical precedent

Implies that the previous effort set a standard or example for subsequent actions or endeavors.

earlier initiative

Highlights the proactive and strategic nature of the previous effort, emphasizing its role in driving change or progress.

past activity

Offers a more general term for a prior effort, suitable for contexts where the specific nature of the undertaking is less important.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous effort" to refer to a past attempt or undertaking. For example: "The success of this project builds upon our "previous effort" to streamline operations."

What's a good alternative to "previous effort"?

Alternatives to "previous effort" include "prior attempt", "earlier endeavor", or "past undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "previous effort" or "prior effort"?

"Previous effort" and "prior effort" are often interchangeable. "Previous" implies something coming before in a sequence, while "prior" suggests a matter of importance or preference. Choose the word that best fits the context.

How does "previous effort" differ from "preliminary effort"?

A "previous effort" simply indicates something done before, while a "preliminary effort" suggests an initial action intended to prepare for something more substantial. The latter implies a planned sequence of actions.