the earlier data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the earlier data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to data that was collected or presented before a certain point in time or in comparison to later data. Example: "In our analysis, we found that the earlier data indicated a significant trend that was not present in the later results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The earlier data cited a zero-to-60-m.p.h.

The New York Times

After the team name, the first two columns are just the earlier data reprinted.

The New York Times

Steve Hipple, the economist at the bureau who oversees the job displacement data, said that the rate of job layoffs was probably understated in the earlier data.

The New York Times

Dr. Johnson re-examined the statistical methods used in the original study, and concluded in an article published in The Lancet that errors in statistical analysis had thrown off the earlier data.

The New York Times - Health

Giles argues that the data from the Wealth and Assets Survey are a more accurate measure of wealth inequality than the data from Inland Revenue estate returns used in the earlier data series.

The Guardian

He reached out to Dr. Endl to reanalyze the earlier data, and he also spearheaded the Pale Red Dot project, which tried to observe Proxima Centauri daily for two months earlier this year.

The New York Times - Science

The evidence for this comes from surveys in most rich countries (such as America's general social survey), which show that happiness has been flat for decades, even though incomes have risen sharply.On the face of it, the new findings are a counter-point to the earlier data.

The Economist

I had not organized the previous week's records because I hadn't completed the statistical analyses of the earlier data set.

Science Magazine

The Fermi energy is obtained as 0.25 eV which is consistent with the earlier data, εF = 0.2 to approximately 0.3 eV [4, 5, 38].

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Not only does it correct the earlier data on LBH emissions, he says, but it also improves measurement of the energies present in the electrons striking atmospheric nitrogen.

Science Magazine

Gentia was one of the earlier data warehousing shops, peddling big- ticket software to knit together the incompatible databases most large corporations maintain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing datasets, clearly distinguish "the earlier data" from subsequent or revised data to avoid ambiguity in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "the earlier data" when you simply mean data collected at an early stage. "The earlier data" implies a comparison with data collected later, whereas "early data" simply refers to data gathered in the initial phases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the earlier data" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a specific set of information that was gathered or presented at a previous time. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the earlier data" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for referring to data collected or presented at a prior time, especially when contrasting it with more recent findings. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to provide context and background. Alternatives include "the previous data" and "the initial data". Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the previous data

Replaces "earlier" with "previous", offering a synonym with similar meaning.

the prior data

Substitutes "earlier" with "prior", suggesting data from a preceding time.

the initial data

Emphasizes that the data was collected at the beginning of a process or study.

the original data

Highlights that the data is in its first or unaltered form.

the preliminary data

Indicates that the data is introductory and may be subject to change.

the baseline data

Refers to data used as a starting point for comparison.

the historical data

Highlights the data's age and relevance to past events.

the first data set

Specifies that the data is a distinct collection from an initial stage.

data from the first phase

Identifies the data as originating from the initial stage of a project.

the data initially collected

Rephrases to emphasize the act of collecting the data at the beginning.

FAQs

How do I use "the earlier data" in a sentence?

Use "the earlier data" when you want to refer to information that was collected or presented at a prior time, especially when comparing it to more recent findings. For example: "The new findings contradict "the earlier data", suggesting a shift in the observed trend."

What are some alternatives to saying "the earlier data"?

You can use alternatives like "the previous data", "the initial data", or "the original data", depending on the specific context and what aspect of the data you want to emphasize.

What is the difference between "the earlier data" and "early data"?

"The earlier data" implies a comparison or contrast with more recent data, while "early data" simply refers to data collected in the initial stages of a process or study without necessarily implying a comparison. For example, "the earlier data" suggested one thing, but the new results point to something different.

Is it correct to say "the earlier data"?

Yes, it is correct to use "the earlier data" when referring to data that was collected or presented before a specific point in time, particularly when contrasting it with subsequent data.