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", always cite the specific studies or sources to provide credibility and allow readers to verify the information. Be specific rather than making vague claims.

Common error

Avoid using "previous research has shown" without providing specific citations or details about the research. This 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. It is used to introduce a statement or claim that is supported by earlier research, providing context and credibility to the information being presented. As Ludwig AI states, it references prior research to back up an argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous research has shown" is a versatile phrase used to introduce information supported by earlier studies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various disciplines, notably in science and news media. The phrase serves to lend credibility and authority to statements by linking them to established knowledge. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide specific citations to support the claim and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "prior studies have indicated" or "earlier research indicates" can be used to vary your writing, while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior studies have indicated

This alternative replaces "research" with "studies" and uses "indicated" instead of "shown", suggesting a slightly less definitive conclusion.

previous studies have demonstrated

This alternative substitutes "research" for "studies" and "shown" for "demonstrated", emphasizing a more conclusive finding.

earlier research indicates

This option replaces "has shown" with "indicates", offering a slightly less assertive tone.

prior findings suggest

This alternative uses "findings" to replace "research" and "suggest" to replace "shown", conveying a more tentative conclusion based on previous work.

research has previously established

This alternative rephrases the sentence to emphasize that the research has already confirmed the information.

it has been previously demonstrated that

This alternative uses a passive construction and emphasizes the act of demonstrating something through research.

studies in the past have revealed

This alternative uses "revealed" instead of "shown" which implies discovering something previously unknown.

earlier investigations have pointed out

The alternative uses "investigations" to mean research and "pointed out" instead of "shown", giving the idea of highlighting something.

existing literature suggests

This alternative uses "existing literature" to refer to previous studies and uses "suggests" for a less assertive claim.

evidence from past research indicates

This option highlights that "evidence" supports a finding, replacing "shown" with the softer "indicates".

FAQs

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

Use "previous research has shown" to introduce a statement that is supported by earlier studies. For example, "Previous research has shown that regular exercise improves cognitive function."

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

You can use alternatives like "prior studies have indicated", "earlier research indicates", or "prior findings suggest" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is crucial to cite the specific studies or sources that support your claim when using "previous research has shown". This adds credibility and allows readers to verify the information. Omitting citations can lead to accusations of plagiarism or lack of rigor.

What's the difference between "previous research has shown" and "previous research suggests"?

"Previous research has shown" implies a more definitive conclusion based on prior studies, while "previous research suggests" indicates a less certain or more tentative finding. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence and the certainty of the conclusion.