previous efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was attempted previously or earlier. For example: Despite previous efforts to fix the issue, the problem remains unsolved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previous efforts have got nowhere.

The Economist

It looks more hopeful than previous efforts.

The Economist

Previous efforts were thwarted by community opposition.

The New Yorker

He has crushed all previous efforts.

The New York Times

Previous efforts haven't been too bad.

The Telegraph

Previous efforts to do this have failed.

MIT Technology Review

Previous efforts failed to generate enough coverage, it noted.

The Guardian

But this year's offering beat all previous efforts.

The Guardian - Money

But the Exodus deal would far outstrip previous efforts.

The New York Times

Previous efforts to impose safety standards have met little success.

The New York Times

But previous efforts in Pinzón have been unsuccessful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a series of attempts, use "previous efforts" to clearly indicate that these actions occurred before the current situation. For example, "Despite previous efforts to improve safety, accidents persist".

Common error

Ensure that the timeframe for the "previous efforts" is clear. If the efforts were recent, specify "recent previous efforts" to avoid confusion. Without context, it might be unclear how far back those efforts extend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous efforts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it refers to actions or attempts made at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous efforts" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to past actions or attempts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To enhance clarity, specify the timeframe of the "previous efforts". Alternatives include "prior attempts", "earlier endeavors", and "past undertakings". Be mindful to select the alternative that best fits the context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior attempts

Emphasizes the sequence of actions taken before the current one.

earlier endeavors

Highlights the active and purposeful nature of the past actions.

past undertakings

Focuses on the completed or initiated nature of the past tasks.

preceding actions

Stresses the temporal order and the influence on subsequent events.

former attempts

Indicates that the attempts are no longer current or relevant.

historical initiatives

Highlights the institutional or organized aspect of the past efforts.

previous measures

Implies specific steps taken to address a problem or achieve a goal.

early work

Refers to the initial stages of a project or activity.

initial stabs

Suggests tentative or experimental nature of the first tries.

past track record

Implies analyzing past outcomes and performances to predict or learn.

FAQs

How to use "previous efforts" in a sentence?

You can use "previous efforts" to refer to actions that were undertaken before the current situation, such as, "Previous efforts failed to generate enough coverage".

What can I say instead of "previous efforts"?

Alternatives include "prior attempts", "earlier endeavors", or "past undertakings" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "previous efforts" and "past efforts"?

"Previous efforts" generally refers to the attempts immediately before the current one, while "past efforts" can refer to any attempts made at any point in the past. The distinction is subtle, but "previous" implies a more direct connection to the present situation.

Is it correct to say "previous efforts have been made"?

Yes, that is grammatically correct. It indicates that attempts were undertaken in the past. For example, "Previous efforts have been unsuccessful".