previous literature

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous literature" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to previously published works on a particular topic. For example, "The research team found the most reliable information in the previous literature on the subject of the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The flexibility in financial response — it was understate in a lot of the previous literature, Keynesian and unKeynesian.

The New Yorker

Salman Rushdie called him a "patsy" and previous literature laureate Herta Müller described the award as a disgrace.

The Guardian - Books

These results are consistent with previous literature.

Health Economics Review

9. Endress (2002), 43, referring also to previous literature.

SEP

Previous literature has reported dismal survival for these patients.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Reliability estimations were acceptable and consistent with previous literature.

Studies in Educational Evaluation

Previous literature is restricted to considering two features in parallel.

International Journal of Production Economics

A meta-analysis of previous literature reviews completes the picture.

Journal of Cleaner Production

The present results are validated with the previous literature results.

Composite Structures

Following previous literature we also exclude the self-employed.

IZA Journal of Migration

The results were in accordance to previous literature [18, 28].

Progress in Orthodontics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When citing "previous literature", be specific about the sources you are referencing to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "previous literature" without providing specific citations. This can weaken your argument and make it difficult for readers to verify your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous literature" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It refers to the body of existing scholarly works relevant to a particular topic, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous literature" is a noun phrase commonly employed to refer to existing scholarly works relevant to a particular topic. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used across various fields, especially in science, research, and academic writing.

Alternatives such as "prior research" or "existing studies" can be used depending on the context. When using "previous literature", it's important to provide specific citations to avoid overgeneralization. Therefore, you should give credit to the original authors. It is also worth noting that the phrase is rarely found in encyclopedias, wikis or references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior research

Focuses specifically on research that has been conducted before.

existing studies

Emphasizes the studies that are already available on the topic.

earlier publications

Highlights the aspect of previously published works.

past investigations

Refers to investigations that have been carried out in the past.

historical analysis

Implies a historical review of literature, emphasizing the evolution of thought.

literature review

A more formal term for a comprehensive overview of existing literature.

background reading

Suggests foundational material that provides context for current work.

previous findings

Highlights specific results or conclusions from earlier work.

established scholarship

Emphasizes the academic and scholarly nature of the prior work.

the current state of knowledge

Highlights all relevant information known to date.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous literature" to refer to existing studies and publications, for example: "The findings of this study contradict the claims made in the "previous literature"."

What are some alternatives to "previous literature"?

Alternatives include "prior research", "existing studies", and "earlier publications", depending on the specific context.

Is it necessary to cite "previous literature" in academic writing?

Yes, it is essential to cite "previous literature" to give credit to the original authors, support your arguments, and demonstrate the scholarly basis of your work.

What's the difference between "previous literature" and "related studies"?

"Previous literature" is a broader term encompassing all prior publications, while "related studies" specifically refers to studies with a similar focus or methodology.