previous incidents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous incidents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or occurrences that happened before the current point in time, often in a context where those events are relevant to the discussion. Example: "The investigation revealed that the company had failed to address several previous incidents of safety violations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government has delayed reporting some previous incidents.

The Guardian

"Previous incidents have shown how dangerous such behaviour is".

The Guardian

The Rangers could have raised the rails after previous incidents.

The New Yorker

Judging by previous incidents, one would have expected the episode to end there.

The New York Times

He said there were previous incidents written about in the media regarding Pistorius.

The Guardian

There have been previous incidents of sexual abuse in boarding schools and choirs.

The New York Times

But he then indicated that he was cognizant of previous incidents.

The New York Times - Sports

The Taliban did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack, as it has with previous incidents.

The New York Times

But their neighbors in Washington said previous incidents involving the Harts' children have concerned them.

The Washington Post

In each of those previous incidents they have subsequently been released safely.

Independent

There had been previous incidents, as it was in my nature to push limits.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting a series of events, use "previous incidents" to provide context and show that the current situation is not isolated. This helps in building a stronger case for preventive measures or policy changes.

Common error

Avoid treating "previous incidents" as unrelated anomalies. Failing to recognize patterns can lead to ineffective solutions. Always analyze these incidents collectively to identify root causes and systemic issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous incidents" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in referring to past occurrences that are relevant to a current situation or investigation, as validated by Ludwig AI's high correctness score.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previous incidents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to refer to past occurrences relevant to a current context. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI's analysis, it's used across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, with a generally neutral to formal tone. Understanding its function, purpose, and common errors can help writers use it effectively to provide context, draw parallels, or justify actions. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's correctness and widespread applicability, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior occurrences

Emphasizes the chronological order of events, similar to "previous incidents" but with a slightly more formal tone.

preceding events

Highlights the order in which events happened. It focuses on incidents that came before a specific point in time.

past events

A broader term that encompasses any event in the past, offering a less specific alternative to "previous incidents".

pre-existing events

Highlights that the events existed or occurred before the current situation or discussion.

earlier episodes

Suitable when referring to events that are part of a series or sequence, highlighting their episodic nature.

past episodes

Similar to "earlier episodes" but with a slightly less formal tone, suitable for general contexts.

antecedent events

A more formal and technical term, often used in legal or academic contexts to refer to events that precede and influence later events.

historical occurrences

Implies that the incidents are of historical significance or are being viewed from a historical perspective.

historical cases

Specifically refers to incidents that have been documented or recorded as cases, implying a level of formality and investigation.

earlier happenings

Emphasizes the casual or informal nature of the events, often used in narrative or conversational contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous incidents" to refer to past events that are relevant to a current situation. For example: "The review board examined "past incidents" to improve safety protocols."

What are some alternatives to "previous incidents"?

Alternatives include "prior occurrences", "past events", or "earlier episodes", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "previous incidents" or "past incidents"?

"Previous incidents" and "past incidents" are often interchangeable. "Previous incidents" is slightly more specific, indicating a direct relevance to the current topic, while "past incidents" is a more general term.

In what contexts is "previous incidents" most appropriate?

"Previous incidents" is often used in formal reports, legal documents, and news articles when discussing events that have a direct bearing on a current investigation, policy change, or safety review. For instance, it is often used in the context of "safety violations" or "security breaches".