previous research has shown

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous research has shown" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to reference prior research or studies that back up the point you are making in a current argument or discussion. For example, "Previous research has shown that regular exercise improves cognitive capabilities in older adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previous research has shown that some species are, in fact, attracted to lights.

The Guardian

Previous research has shown a clear association between obesity and breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

The Guardian

Previous research has shown that women's mate preferences change over the course of their menstrual cycle as hormone levels fluctuate.

The Guardian

However, previous research has shown that conservatives with climate-specific knowledge are more likely to accept climate realities.

The Guardian

Previous research has shown there is a clear link between economically deprived areas and greater exposure to polluted air.

The Guardian

Previous research has shown that people's scores on these traits can, indeed, predict what they purchase.

The Economist

Previous research has shown that unstressed mice enjoy swimming, while stressed ones do not.

The Economist

Previous research has shown that men with significantly elongated ring fingers excel at competitive sports.

The Economist

Previous research has shown that twins can fall into this category.

The Economist

Previous research has shown that both methodologies provide complementary information.

Food Research International

Previous research has shown this can boost brain cell growth.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous research has shown", clearly cite the specific studies or sources you are referencing to give credit and allow readers to verify the information.

Common error

Avoid using "previous research has shown" without providing specific details or citations. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make it difficult for readers to assess the validity of your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous research has shown" functions as an introductory phrase to cite or reference existing knowledge and findings from prior academic or scientific inquiries. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to support arguments or introduce established concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous research has shown" is a commonly used phrase to introduce information supported by prior studies, lending credibility to statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for formal and scientific contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, the phrase serves to build upon existing knowledge and reference established concepts. Remember to cite specific sources to avoid overgeneralization and maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "prior studies indicate" or "earlier research demonstrates" can offer variety while conveying the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior studies indicate

This alternative uses "prior studies" instead of "previous research" and "indicate" instead of "has shown", slightly changing the wording but retaining the meaning.

earlier research demonstrates

This alternative uses "earlier research" and "demonstrates", offering a slightly stronger assertion than "has shown".

past investigations reveal

This phrase replaces "previous research" with "past investigations" and "has shown" with "reveal", providing a more formal tone.

prior work suggests

This alternative is less assertive than the original, using "suggests" instead of "has shown".

existing literature indicates

This phrase replaces "previous research" with "existing literature", broadening the scope to include all published works.

studies have established

This alternative implies a stronger confirmation, using "have established" instead of "has shown".

it has been previously found

This phrasing is more passive and emphasizes the finding rather than the research itself.

research to date indicates

This phrasing includes a temporal aspect, referring to all research up to the present.

earlier findings suggest

This alternative focuses on the "findings" of previous research and uses "suggest" which is less assertive than "show".

the literature suggests

This alternative uses "the literature" to refer to previous publications, which changes the focus to a body of knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "previous research has shown" in a sentence?

You can use "previous research has shown" to introduce a fact or concept that has been supported by prior studies. For example, "Previous research has shown that exercise improves cognitive function".

What are some alternatives to saying "previous research has shown"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prior studies indicate", "earlier research demonstrates", or "past investigations reveal".

Is it necessary to cite sources after using the phrase "previous research has shown"?

Yes, it is crucial to cite your sources after using "previous research has shown" to give credit to the original researchers and allow readers to verify the information.

What's the difference between "previous research has shown" and "the current study shows"?

"Previous research has shown" refers to findings from past studies, while "the current study shows" refers to the findings of the study you are currently presenting.