previous item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an item that was mentioned or listed before in a text or conversation. Example: "Please review the previous item on the agenda before we move on to the next topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(See previous item).

The Economist

Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

Partial copy of the previous item.

Cornell University

Go to Article from Bloomberg News » Go to Previous Item from DealBook » Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

The previous item at that position is removed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Go to 3Com Press Release via Business Wire » Go to Previous Item from DealBook » Go to Previous Item from The Deal Professor ».

The New York Times

Go to Article from The Telegraph » Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

Go to Article from CNet News.com » Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

Go to Press Release from Mars » Go to Previous Item on DealBook ».

The New York Times

Go to Article from Bloomberg News via The Houston Chronicle » Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

Go to Article from The New York Times » Go to Previous Item from DealBook ».

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previous item" to maintain clarity and avoid pronouns when the reference might be unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "previous item" without ensuring the reader knows exactly which item you're talking about. Instead of relying solely on "previous item", briefly reiterate key details or identifiers of that item to eliminate confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous item" functions as a determiner + noun phrase, acting as a reference to something already mentioned or listed. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its use in academic, news, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous item" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer back to something already mentioned. Ludwig AI indicates that it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, always provide sufficient context when using "previous item" and consider alternatives like "preceding item" or "earlier item" to vary your writing. Ensure to give some context in the text for which is the previous item being mentioned. Avoid ambiguity for your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding item

Replaces "previous" with a synonym emphasizing the order.

earlier item

Substitutes "previous" with a synonym focused on time.

item before

Simplifies the structure to a more direct reference.

aforementioned item

Uses a more formal term for "previous".

item mentioned earlier

Expands the phrase to clarify the reference.

item in question

Highlights that it is being actively discussed.

item above

Refers to the positioning of the item, especially in lists.

last item

Indicates the most recent item from the past.

prior entry

A variation more appropriate for records and logs.

antecedent item

Uses a more academic and formal term.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous item" to refer back to something already discussed, such as "Please refer to the "previous item" on the agenda for more details".

What's a more formal alternative to "previous item"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "preceding item" or "aforementioned item".

Is it ever incorrect to use "previous item"?

While grammatically correct, using "previous item" can be confusing if the context doesn't clearly identify what the "previous item" is. Always ensure clarity.

What's the difference between "previous item" and "earlier item"?

Both phrases are similar, but "earlier item" emphasizes the time aspect, while "previous item" simply indicates the order in a sequence.