previous question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a question that was asked earlier in a conversation or text. Example: "In response to the previous question, I would like to clarify my stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bateman turns to address her previous question.

The Guardian - Film

This connects to the previous question.

The New Yorker

GEORGE PACKER: Related to the previous question.

The New Yorker

Previous Question Mark columns can be found here.

The New York Times

More importantly, can this previous question about the larger questions be classified as "meta-pataphysical"?

The Guardian - Arts

The previous question was last asked by a visitor from Azerbaijan.

The Guardian - Opinion

How would the items you highlighted in the previous question be affected by these changes?

The New York Times

But one of those reasons very much relates to your previous question.

The New Yorker

QUESTION FROM GERNOT WAGNER: Thank you for your answer on my previous question.

The New Yorker

The items on the screen at any time depend entirely on how the previous question was answered.

The New York Times

So, to answer my previous question: none, because grades don't equal life experience (something we're pretty much all equal on).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "previous question", ensure that the context makes it clear which question you are referencing. If there's any ambiguity, rephrase or explicitly identify the question by number or topic.

Common error

Avoid using "previous question" if the context doesn't clearly indicate which question you're referring to. Unclear references can confuse your audience. Instead, be specific or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous question" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a referential expression. It points back to a question that has already been posed or addressed in a conversation or text. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous question" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to an earlier inquiry, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to ensure the context makes the reference clear. For alternative expressions, consider "earlier question" or "prior question". To prevent confusion, explicitly state or rephrase if ambiguity arises.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier question

Replaces "previous" with "earlier", indicating a question from a prior time.

prior question

Substitutes "previous" with "prior", maintaining the sense of a question that came before.

the question asked earlier

Elaborates to specify that the question was posed at a previous time.

question before

Reorders the words to express the same idea in a slightly different structure.

foregoing question

Uses the more formal term "foregoing" instead of "previous".

the question discussed before

Focuses on the discussion aspect of the previous question.

aforementioned question

Indicates the question already mentioned, often used in formal writing.

the last question

Refers to the immediately preceding question.

question previously addressed

Passive voice construction, emphasizing that the question has already been handled.

the question I just asked

Emphasizes the recency and speaker's role in asking the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous question" to refer to an earlier inquiry. For example, "In response to the "previous question", I would like to add..."

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

A more formal alternative would be "foregoing question" or "aforementioned question", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it always clear what "previous question" refers to?

Not always. Ensure clarity by specifying the topic or number of the question if there's potential for confusion. Otherwise, use more specific alternatives like "earlier question" to ensure there's no misunderstanding.

Which is correct, "previous question" or "prior question"?

Both ""previous question"" and "prior question" are correct and can be used interchangeably, although "previous" is slightly more common in general usage.