the earlier existing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the earlier existing" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that existed previously, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The earlier existing records were crucial for the research."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In this study, it has been proved that the new modified model can predict more accurately than the earlier existing models.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Although the concrete on the earlier existing canal is not reinforced, the design for the new canal structures calls for reinforcing steel as an anti-seismic precaution.

Marine Concrete Structures Design, Durability and Performance

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The earliest existing rings are those found in the tombs of ancient Egypt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The earliest existing standard type of saltcellar consists of late 15th-century spool-shaped hourglass salts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sotheby's said on Wednesday that it would postpone the sale of an early photographic print known as a photogenic drawing because some scholars now believe that the print — an image of a leaf — may have been produced much earlier than previously thought, making it the earliest existing photographic image.

The New York Times - Arts

Among the items on display are handwritten drafts of his first and second Inaugural Addresses, the Bible upon which he swore the oath of office on March 4, 1861 (used by Barack Obama at his inauguration), the earliest existing draft of the Gettysburg Address and the contents of his coat from the night he was assassinated in April 1865.

The New York Times

Although small fragments of patchwork have been found in tomb excavations in Asia and the Middle East, the earliest existing quilts may be two large 14th-century wholecloth (i.e., entire, not pieced) Sicilian pieces whose whitework surfaces are heavily embellished with trapunto, also known as corded or stuffed quilting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Comparison of this model with the early existing model on the basis of the X-ray diffraction is also given.

Acta Materialia

The earliest existing Kannada literary writings are credited to their court poets and royalty.

Wikipedia

The two existing episodes are the oldest surviving examples of a multi-episodic British drama production, and some of the earliest existing examples of British television drama at all, with only a few earlier one-off plays surviving.

Wikipedia

Grade II listed building protection was approved for the Red House Cold Store building in 2005 by then-Culture Secretary Dame Tessa Jowell, on the basis of new historical evidence qualifying the complex as "the earliest existing example of a purpose-built powered cold store".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "previously existing" or "pre-existing" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. This avoids awkward phrasing and improves readability.

Common error

Do not combine "earlier" and "existing" directly, as it can sound redundant. "Earlier" already implies existence, so a more direct term like "previously" is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the earlier existing" functions as an adjectival modifier attempting to describe something that existed at a previous time. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the earlier existing" aims to describe something that existed previously, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that alternatives such as "previously existing" or "pre-existing" are clearer and more appropriate. Although it may appear in some technical contexts, it's advisable to avoid this phrasing in favor of more grammatically sound options to enhance clarity and precision in writing. It's a rare phrase with a higher frequency of occurance in Science, Encyclopedias and News & Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the previously existing

Emphasizes existence prior to a specific point; more grammatically sound.

the pre-existing

Highlights that something existed before a particular event or condition.

the already existing

Suggests existence at the time of reference; grammatically correct.

the prior existing

Indicates a state before the current one; slightly formal.

the earlier established

Focuses on the time of establishment; suitable for institutions or systems.

the former existing

Refers to a state that existed at an earlier time.

the antecedent existing

Emphasizes the preceding nature of something.

the past existing

Highlights the existence in a time before the present.

the original existing

Suggests a state from the beginning.

the initial existing

Indicates the first instance of something existing.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "the earlier existing"?

More appropriate alternatives include "previously existing" or "pre-existing", which are clearer and grammatically correct.

When is it appropriate to use "the earlier existing"?

While not grammatically ideal, "the earlier existing" might appear in technical contexts where precision is attempted, but it's generally advisable to choose clearer alternatives such as "the pre-existing".

How does "the earlier existing" differ from "the already existing"?

"The already existing" indicates something that exists at the present time of reference, whereas "the earlier existing" attempts to refer to something that existed at a prior time, though it's not grammatically sound. It's more appropriate to use "the previously existing" for the latter.

Is "the earlier existing" grammatically correct?

No, "the earlier existing" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "the previously existing" or "the pre-existing" to convey the intended meaning.