previous to access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous to access" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to something that occurs before gaining access to something else, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Please ensure that all necessary permissions are granted previous to access the system."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They would be able to revoke the permissions of these previous systems to access that data, thereby allowing them to easily transfer that data to other systems.

Stanford University

Previous attempts to access the cenote through platforms and tunnels were unsuccessful and either proved too dangerous or costly.

Forbes

Previous plans to access the Big Four Bridge included building an elevator.

Wikipedia

For easy navigation, in addition to the homepage, each P2RP page contains a navigation bar that allows users to execute a new RP analysis, to search for a previous job, to access a help page or to contact the authors.

BMC Genomics

Israel has repeatedly charged the UNHRC with being biased and hostile towards it, and has refused to grant previous access to previous special rapporteurs for Palestine, an unpaid position created in 1993 to monitor and report on "the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory," according to its website, and be "the official United Nations voice" on rights in the region.

Vice

Of the 2,400 people who took the People and Corruption survey in Nigeria, 43% reported they had paid a bribe in the previous 12 months to access public services – nearly double the regional average.

The Guardian

Caroline – which is not her real name – had already represented herself at the two civil court hearings previous to this because her access to legal aid had been stopped.

The Guardian

"Members now have to state what lessons they have learned from previous disasters in order to access funds in the future," Mr Gormley said.

The Guardian

What the new concept suggests is a system whereby threat actors wouldn't be able to access previous photons in an attempt at tampering, as they would no longer exist.

Forbes

Click here to access previous "Latest News" stories from the UNICEF Supply Portal.

UNICEF

Program theories are related back to formal theories to assist in abstraction and to access previous research relevant to the program theory.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "before accessing" or "prior to access" for clearer and more natural-sounding writing.

Common error

Avoid using "previous to access" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives such as "before" or "ahead of" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous to access" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that something occurs before gaining entry or availability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous to access" is a grammatically acceptable prepositional phrase that indicates something happening before gaining entry. While correct, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not as commonly used as alternatives like "before accessing" or "prior to access". Ludwig AI also mentions that the phrase tends to be neutral to formal in register. Given its relative rarity, it's advisable to consider the context and opt for more common alternatives to ensure clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to access

Uses 'prior' instead of 'previous', offering a more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

before accessing

Rephrases using a gerund, creating a more concise and active construction.

in advance of access

Emphasizes the timing element more explicitly, highlighting that something must happen well before access is granted.

preceding access

Replaces 'previous' with 'preceding', which is a more formal and somewhat less common synonym.

ahead of access

Uses 'ahead of' to suggest a preparatory stage before access.

before admittance

Substitutes 'access' with 'admittance', focusing on the act of being allowed to enter.

preliminary to access

Introduces a sense of 'preliminary' actions or steps needed before access can be obtained.

pre-access

Simplifies the phrase into a compound adjective, which is a more modern and concise way to express the idea.

leading up to access

Describes a process or series of events that eventually result in access.

as a precursor to access

Specifies that something serves as a necessary condition or event before access is possible.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "previous to access"?

More common alternatives include "before accessing" or "prior to access".

Is "previous to access" grammatically correct?

Yes, "previous to access" is grammatically acceptable, but it is not as frequently used as other similar phrases.

In what kind of writing is "previous to access" most appropriate?

"Previous to access" is most appropriate in formal writing. However, simpler alternatives are often preferred for clarity.

How can I improve the flow of my writing when using the phrase "previous to access"?

Consider rephrasing the sentence to use a more active construction, such as "before you access" or "prior to gaining access" for a smoother flow.