previous to the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous to the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurred before a specific point in time or event. Example: "Previous to the meeting, we had a lengthy discussion about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previous to the home, a workhouse occupied the site.

The Guardian

Poincaré and Sazonoff previous to the outbreak of the war.

The New York Times

When he came to California previous to the shooting that killed him he'd also been shot.

The Guardian - Music

#TDF July 20 , 20133.24pm BST Excuse my entry previous to the last.

The Guardian - Sport

And I wanted something very special because I'd led such an unspecial life previous to the Smiths".

The Guardian - Music

By Sasha Frere-Jones "A lot of electronic music requires tons of work previous to the live performance.

The New Yorker

Via e-mail, she described the divisions within the noise-music community: "A lot of electronic music requires tons of work previous to the live performance.

The New Yorker

Echo Show owners weren't given any advance warning previous to the removal.

TechCrunch

Lynch was the founding CEO of Dish's Sling TV previous to the move.

TechCrunch

The effect of a HNO3-oxidation previous to the impregnation has been also evaluated.

Catalysis Today

This paper formally characterizes the Argentinian production sector in the period previous to the last crisis.

The Journal of Socio-Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using "before the" instead of "previous to the", as it conveys the same meaning in a more direct manner.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "previous to the" can sometimes sound overly formal. Evaluate your writing's overall tone and consider whether a simpler alternative like "before the" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous to the" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a point in time preceding a specific event. It sets a temporal context, showing that something occurred earlier.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previous to the" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating a point in time before a specific event. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's worth noting that it can sometimes sound overly formal, and simpler alternatives like "before the" are often more appropriate. Usage spans across various contexts, from scientific papers to news articles, with a concentration in Science and News & Media. When aiming for clarity and conciseness, consider the tone of your writing and choose the most effective way to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the

This is the most straightforward and common alternative, using a single word instead of a phrase.

prior to the

This alternative is slightly more formal while retaining the same meaning.

preceding the

This alternative uses a verb form to indicate what comes before.

ahead of the

This suggests being in front of something in time, similar to "previous to the".

earlier than the

This alternative explicitly states the temporal precedence.

in advance of the

This implies preparation or anticipation before a certain event.

preliminary to the

This suggests something that serves as a preparation for something else.

antecedent to the

This is a more formal and less common way of saying "previous to the".

antidating the

This puts focus on the fact that there is something older and uses a verb.

in anticipation of the

This alternative highlights preparation or expectation before the mentioned event.

FAQs

How can I use "previous to the" in a sentence?

Use "previous to the" to indicate an action or state that occurred before a specific event or time. For example, "Previous to the meeting, we reviewed the reports."

What's a simpler alternative to "previous to the"?

A simpler and more commonly used alternative is "before the". For example, instead of saying "Previous to the concert, we ate dinner", you can say "Before the concert, we ate dinner."

Is there a difference in formality between "previous to the" and "prior to the"?

"Previous to the" and "prior to the" are both relatively formal, but "previous to the" might be perceived as slightly more old-fashioned. Choose based on the desired tone of your writing.

When is it best to use "previous to the" instead of just "before"?

Using "previous to the" is most suitable when you want to emphasize the temporal sequence or maintain a formal tone. In many cases, "before the" is perfectly acceptable and more concise.