previous to taking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous to taking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs before the act of taking something, such as a medication or an action. Example: "Previous to taking the medication, please consult your doctor to ensure it is safe for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Close friend, Guthrie Thomas, stated upon hearing that suicide was the cause of Carradine's death, "No one ties both of their hands behind their back previous to taking one's own life.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There have been previous efforts to take identification a step further.

The New York Times

At least two European intelligence services had made previous attempts to take Mahdjoub out.

The Guardian

(News Corp's previous attempt to take control of BSkyB was derailed by the phone-hacking allegations).

The Economist

After all, his previous attempts to take his own life were surely proof enough of his intentions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alonso's car had been fast enough during qualifying the previous day to take pole position, but a technical problem spoiled his chances and he qualified only 15th.

The New York Times - Sports

Given the failure of previous attempts to take on the gun lobby, there's a strong argument for going through all the necessary preparations.

The New Yorker

The man had the dogs put down despite an offer by their previous owners to take them back, according to internal records.

The Guardian - Sport

YPG fighters have generally been able to repel IS attacks in the past two years, including a previous attempt to take Ain al-Arab in June.

The Economist

Mr. Asiri is also believed to have designed the explosives used in two previous attempts to take down airliners bound for the United States.

The New York Times

Her death, according to the petition, followed previous attempts to take her own life and a long history of psychological difficulty made worse by postpartum depression.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using shorter alternatives like "before taking" or "prior to taking" for conciseness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "previous to taking" in informal contexts where simpler phrasing would be more appropriate. Opt for more natural language to maintain an approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous to taking" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the timing of an action. As Ludwig AI notes, it describes the temporal relationship preceding an event, similar to saying "before" something occurs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

General

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previous to taking" is a grammatically sound but somewhat formal way to indicate that something occurs before another action. As Ludwig AI points out, simpler alternatives like "before taking" or "prior to taking" are often preferred for conciseness. While grammatically correct, "previous to taking" should be used judiciously, considering the context and desired tone. It's essential to weigh the slight increase in formality against the potential for wordiness and opt for the clearest, most natural phrasing possible to improve overall communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before taking

More concise and common alternative.

Prior to taking

More formal alternative indicating a time precedence.

Ahead of taking

Emphasizes being in front or prepared before taking something.

In advance of taking

Highlights acting or preparing before taking something.

Leading up to taking

Focuses on the period before taking something.

Preceding the taking of

More formal and emphasizes the act of taking.

Just before taking

Indicates a very short time before the action.

On the verge of taking

Highlights imminence of the action.

Immediately before taking

Specifies that the action happens right before.

Earlier than taking

General indication of occurring at an earlier time.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "previous to taking"?

You can use alternatives like "before taking", "prior to taking", or "ahead of taking" depending on the context.

Is "previous to taking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "previous to taking" is grammatically correct, but it can sound overly formal. Simpler alternatives are often preferred.

Which is more common, "previous to taking" or "before taking"?

"Before taking" is far more common and generally preferred in most contexts due to its simplicity and directness compared to "previous to taking".

How to use "previous to taking" in a sentence?

Use "previous to taking" to indicate that something happened before an action. For example: "Previous to taking the exam, ensure you have reviewed all the material."