previous term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous term" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as mathematics, education, or any situation where you refer to a term that came before another in a sequence or list. Example: "In the equation, the value of the previous term is crucial for calculating the next one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Charismatic and hugely successful during his previous term, Laporta remains extremely popular with supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

His failure to do so portrays him as a hopeless schlemiel, just like "old Bibi" from the previous term.

The Guardian - Opinion

In its previous term, which ended with its re-election last month, its efforts were dismal.

The Economist

The court issued 74 signed opinions in the term that ended in June, up from 67 in the previous term.

The New York Times

The government will back Brussels' proposed financial-transaction tax, a direct reversal of policy from Mr Rutte's previous term.

The Economist

The Senate bill, which was broadly similar to a reform measure the Democrats had introduced the previous term, was unanimously approved by committee.

The New York Times - Magazine

But if, once in office, she reverts to the more centrist policies of her previous term, Chile may maintain its economic momentum.

The Guardian - Business

The decision is particularly fateful for Sharif, whose previous term as prime minister was ended by a military coup d'état in November 1999.

The Guardian

Apparently, during the previous term the caretaker had left, the school needed painting and the head had rolled up his sleeves and spent much of the summer painting.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman from the immigration department said: "The Minister's Council on Asylum Seekers and Detention's (MCASD) previous term expired late last year on 28 December , 2014

The Guardian

Fenerbahce's total summer spend was around £23m, which was more than the £21m for the previous term, when the club had no income from European football.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous term", ensure the context clearly establishes what constitutes a 'term' whether it's a school semester, a political tenure, or another defined period.

Common error

Avoid using "previous term" when you actually mean the second to last term. "Previous term" simply means the term that came directly before the current one. For second to last, use "penultimate term".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous term" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a determiner followed by a noun. It modifies another noun or serves as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous term" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a period that occurred before the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As shown by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "prior term" and "earlier term" exist, "previous term" is a straightforward and effective way to denote a past timeframe. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the meaning of 'term' in the given context and avoid confusing it with 'penultimate term'. Overall, it's a reliable phrase for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior term

Replaces "previous" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

earlier term

Substitutes "previous" with "earlier", emphasizing the temporal order.

preceding term

Uses "preceding" as a formal alternative to "previous".

former term

Emphasizes that the term is no longer current.

past term

A simpler alternative, focusing on the term being in the past.

aforementioned term

Refers back to a term already mentioned.

previous timeframe

Replaces "term" with a broader term for a period of time.

prior timeframe

Combines "prior" with "timeframe" to indicate a preceding period.

earlier timeframe

Uses "earlier" with "timeframe" for a less formal tone.

the term before

Simplifies the structure to emphasize sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous term" to refer to a past period, such as "During the "previous term", the class covered advanced topics." It specifies a specific period of time that happened before the current one.

What's the difference between "previous term" and "earlier term"?

"Previous term" usually refers to the term immediately before the current one, while "earlier term" can refer to any term in the past.

What can I say instead of "previous term"?

Alternatives include "prior term", "preceding term", or "former term" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the previous term" or "during the previous term"?

Both "in the "previous term"" and "during the "previous term"" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.