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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
previous study
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"previous study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a study that was done before the present one, or to point out that a present study builds on the insights of a previous one. For example, "This study expands on the findings of previous study conducted in the same area."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(18)
prior research
earlier investigation
preceding analysis
aforementioned study
earlier work
former study
previous trial
previous student
previous science
previous literature
preceding study
in our earlier work
in our earlier study
in our previous study
former science
previous studies
regards to previous
according to previous
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
60 human-written examples
A previous study by a Reddit user in 2014 came up with 49 titles.
News & Media
A previous study, looking solely at the Chicago marathon, suggested some other possible factors.
News & Media
The report builds on research begun in a previous study released a year ago.
News & Media
"Because of those previous study results, your reaction is a surprise to us".
News & Media
The rest of his coronary anatomy is completely unchanged from a previous study performed in 1996.
News & Media
Our previous study showed that var.
Science
Our previous study demonstrated that intrathecal (i.t).
Science
Our previous study (Gris, et al, Exp.
Science
However, no previous study addressed this question.
The previous study [Yang L, Donahoe RJ.
(A previous study conducted at New York University found similar results among adults).
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When citing a "previous study", be specific about its relevance to your current work. Clearly explain how the prior research informs or contrasts with your findings.
Common error
Avoid vague references to a "previous study" without providing context or citation. Always ensure the reader can easily identify and access the cited research.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "previous study" functions as an adjective-noun combination modifying a noun (study) to indicate that it occurred before the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to refer to earlier research or investigations.
Frequent in
Science
69%
News & Media
22%
Formal & Business
9%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "previous study" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to earlier research. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in academic and scientific writing to provide context and background. Its function is to modify the noun "study", indicating its temporal position. While alternatives like "prior research" or "earlier investigation" exist, "previous study" is straightforward and frequently encountered. It is important to always cite properly any "previous study" to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prior research
Focuses on the research aspect, omitting "study".
earlier investigation
Replaces "study" with "investigation" and "previous" with "earlier".
past experiment
Substitutes "study" with "experiment" and "previous" with "past", suggesting a more hands-on approach.
preceding analysis
Uses "analysis" instead of "study" and "preceding" for "previous", implying a detailed examination.
aforementioned study
Employs "aforementioned" to refer to a study already mentioned, offering a formal tone.
earlier work
Generalizes the concept to "work", which could include studies, research, or other related efforts.
previous research findings
Adds "findings" to emphasize the results of the prior research.
prior academic work
Specifies the context as "academic", highlighting scholarly endeavors.
historical study
Uses "historical" to indicate that the study belongs to the past.
earlier examination
Replaces "study" with "examination" and "previous" with "earlier", framing it as a careful inspection.
FAQs
How can I use "previous study" in a sentence?
You can use "previous study" to refer to earlier research. For example, "Our findings build upon the results of a "previous study" that examined similar variables."
What's a good alternative to "previous study"?
Alternatives to "previous study" include "prior research", "earlier investigation", or "past experiment" depending on the specific context.
Is it necessary to cite a "previous study"?
Yes, it is essential to cite a "previous study" to give credit to the original authors and to allow readers to verify your sources. Proper citation also avoids plagiarism.
How does "previous study" differ from "related study"?
"Previous study" specifically refers to a study conducted before the current one, while "related study" simply indicates a study that shares a similar topic or methodology, regardless of when it was conducted.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested