Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
previous payment
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "previous payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a payment that was made before the current transaction or discussion. Example: "Please confirm the amount of the previous payment before we proceed with the new invoice."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
In November, it rescheduled previous payment arrears.
News & Media
Neither party would disclose the previous payment amount.
News & Media
That is in addition to a previous payment of $44,000.
News & Media
The penalty would be 75 times larger than any previous payment to the S.E.C. in a fraud case, according to the court order.
News & Media
Landlords typically start nonpayment proceedings in housing court after a few months of missed rent, depending in part on a tenant's previous payment history; the goal is usually not eviction.
News & Media
"Along with this increased flexibility, we've seen average hourly fees for riders in previous trials rise to more than 2.1 times the previous payment model at our busiest times," Deliveroo said.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
AT&T reportedly uses that blanket reason for a variety of issues, including previous late payments and bad credit.
News & Media
German officials say the matter was resolved through previous payments and agreements.
News & Media
But he adds: "The final payment transferred was recovered, but previous payments were no longer in the account.
News & Media
The Post disputes the bill, arguing that it was incorrectly calculated and failed to credit previous payments.
News & Media
It was not immediately known who had paid the ransom, or if it was in addition to previous payments.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When documenting financial transactions, specify the date or reference number of the "previous payment" for clarity and easy tracking.
Common error
Avoid using "previous payment" when referring to payments expected in the future; use terms like "outstanding balance" or "future installments" instead.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "previous payment" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific payment that occurred before the current transaction or point of reference. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
5%
Academia
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "previous payment" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to refer to a payment that occurred before the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and usable in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, scientific articles, and formal business communications. When writing, ensure that you are not confusing it with future payments or outstanding balances. Alternatives include "prior payment", "earlier payment", and "past payment", offering slight variations in emphasis.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prior payment
Uses "prior" instead of "previous", indicating an earlier time.
earlier payment
Employs "earlier" as a substitute for "previous", denoting a payment made at a former time.
past payment
Replaces "previous" with "past", signifying a payment that has already occurred.
initial payment
Refers to the first payment made in a series.
preceding payment
Substitutes "previous" with "preceding", highlighting the order of payments.
former payment
Uses "former" to indicate a payment made in the past.
historical payment
Implies the payment is part of a record or history.
previous remittance
Replaces "payment" with "remittance", suggesting a transfer of money.
previous installment
Specifies that the "previous payment" was part of a series of payments.
earlier remittance
Uses "earlier" and "remittance", combining a different timing indicator with a more specific type of payment.
FAQs
How can I use "previous payment" in a sentence?
You can use "previous payment" to refer to a payment made before the current one. For example, "Please provide details of your "prior payment" to confirm your account balance."
What can I say instead of "previous payment"?
Alternatives include "earlier payment", "past payment", or "prior payment", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.
Is it correct to use "previous payment" in a formal document?
Yes, "previous payment" is suitable for formal documents. It is a clear and concise way to refer to a payment made at an earlier time.
What's the difference between "previous payment" and "outstanding balance"?
"Previous payment" refers to a payment that has already been made, while "outstanding balance" refers to the amount that is still owed. They describe opposite aspects of a financial transaction.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested