the previous question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a question that was asked earlier in a conversation or text. Example: "In response to the previous question, I believe that the new policy will benefit our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This connects to the previous question.

The New Yorker

GEORGE PACKER: Related to the previous question.

The New Yorker

A: The answer is similar to the previous question.

Stanford University

We were simply trying to capture the point that the previous question raised.

Cornell University

This option means that students cannot return to the previous question once it has been answered.

Yale University

The previous question was last asked by a visitor from Azerbaijan.

The Guardian - Opinion

How would the items you highlighted in the previous question be affected by these changes?

The New York Times

The items on the screen at any time depend entirely on how the previous question was answered.

The New York Times

–Based on your answer to the previous question, how do you hope legislators will vote on this bill?

The New York Times

But Romney is getting slightly wound up about not getting the last word on the previous question.

The Guardian

Monday, 8 44 p.m. | Updated The answer to the previous question is no, or at least not yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous question", ensure the context makes it clear which specific question you are referring to, especially in longer discussions or written pieces. If there's any ambiguity, rephrase to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous question" if multiple questions have been asked recently or if the conversation has shifted significantly. In such cases, briefly restate the question you are referring to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous question" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a specific question that has already been asked. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to connect current statements or answers back to a prior inquiry, ensuring coherence in discussions or written texts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

31%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous question" is a versatile phrase used to refer back to an earlier point of inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news media, academia, and scientific writing. The phrase functions as a determiner phrase, serving the purpose of maintaining context and ensuring relevance in discussions. While the register is generally neutral, careful attention should be paid to clarity to avoid ambiguity, as demonstrated by the examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the earlier question

Uses "earlier" instead of "previous" to indicate a question asked before the current one.

the prior question

Replaces "previous" with "prior", indicating a question that came before the present one.

the foregoing question

Substitutes "previous" with "foregoing", referring to a question mentioned earlier.

the question before

A more informal phrasing indicating the immediately preceding question.

the last question

Refers to the most recently asked question.

the aforementioned question

Uses a more formal term, "aforementioned", to refer to a question previously stated.

that question we just discussed

Uses a descriptive phrase to refer to a question recently addressed.

the question I just asked

Highlights the recency and the speaker's role in asking the question.

the point raised earlier

Shifts focus from the question itself to the underlying point or issue raised.

referring back to my question

Explicitly indicates the act of returning to a question previously posed.

FAQs

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

You can use "the previous question" to refer back to an earlier inquiry. For example, "To follow up on "the previous question", let's consider the implications of this policy."

What can I say instead of "the previous question"?

You can use alternatives like "the earlier question", "the prior question", or "the aforementioned question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the previous question" or "the last question"?

Both ""the previous question"" and "the last question" can be correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "The previous question" refers to a question asked earlier in the conversation, while "the last question" refers to the most recent question.

What's the difference between "the previous question" and "the preceding question"?

"The previous question" and "the preceding question" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning, referring to a question that came before the current one. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.