previous to that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous to that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or situation that occurred before a specific point in time or another event. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 10 AM, but previous to that, we had a conference call to discuss the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Between 2010 and 2014, there were 439 drones exchanged compared to 322 in the five years previous to that.

The Guardian

Before them were John Simpson, who had the job from 1980 until Cole's appointment; David Holmes, who held the post from 1975 to 1980; and Peter Hardiman Scott, who was in the job for the five years previous to that.

The Guardian

An international comparison by Eurobarometer in April 2013 suggested the UK was the EU country with the lowest proportion of those aged 15 to 30 who voted in any civic election during the three years previous to that.

The Guardian

So, there was really a duopoly previous to that.

Forbes

TD: Well, first of all, the decision to go to war against Saddam Hussein turned out to be probably the worst decision in American foreign policy, not only in our lifetime but previous to that.

Huffington Post

"Previous to that, they built cables for Marconi.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Previous to [79] that was known only for surfaces of constant curvature.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Its previous efforts to that effect had failed.

The Economist

At his only previous address to that group, in 1976, he mocked Wall Street for undervaluing stocks.

The New York Times

Previous to Emergence, everything that I made I would draw out prior.

Vice

I remember reading a bunch of scripts previous to reading this one that were just awful.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous to that", ensure the context clearly establishes the "that" being referred to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "previous to that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "before that" or other simpler alternatives in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous to that" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the temporal relationship between two events, specifying that one event happened before another. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Huffington Post

7%

Vice

3%

Applied Energy

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous to that" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that functions adverbially to indicate a temporal sequence. It is considered more formal than other simpler alternatives like "before that" but Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used in written English, and can be found frequently in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using "previous to that", make sure the antecedent of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider also that, even if grammatically correct, may sound unusual if used in informal context. In such cases, use more informal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before that

This is a shorter and more direct alternative, suitable for most contexts.

prior to that

This is a more formal synonym, often used in professional or academic settings.

preceding that

This alternative is similar to "prior to that" but can sometimes imply a more immediate sequence.

earlier than that

This alternative focuses on the time difference between two events.

leading up to that

This phrase suggests a series of events that culminate in a specific event.

in advance of that

This suggests preparation or planning before a certain event.

in the time before that

This emphasizes a period of time leading up to the event.

antidating that

This is a more formal and less common synonym for preceding.

on the road to that

This indicates a progression or journey towards a specific event.

heretofore

This is an archaic and highly formal synonym, rarely used in modern contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "before that", "prior to that", or "earlier than that" depending on the context.

Is "previous to that" formal or informal?

The phrase "previous to that" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "before that". Its appropriateness depends on the context and desired tone.

How do I use "previous to that" in a sentence?

Ensure that "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned event or time. For example: "The meeting was scheduled for 2 PM; "previous to that", we had a team discussion".

What is the difference between "prior to that" and "previous to that"?

The phrases "prior to that" and "previous to that" are largely interchangeable, with "prior to that" perhaps carrying a slightly more formal connotation.