the previous text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to text that has been mentioned or presented earlier in a document or conversation. Example: "In order to understand the context better, please refer to the previous text for more details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Description: Possibly a translation of the previous text (5) and a Coyote story.

University of California, Berkeley

After two days of debate, it became clear that the previous text would have to be restored.

The New Yorker

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, told reporters that the draft resolution "considerably strengthens all aspects of the previous text".

The New York Times

The researchers wanted to know a few things: how their subjects felt overall, how worried and lonely they were, how much they had used Facebook, and how often they had had direct interaction with others since the previous text message.

The New Yorker

At a recent I.B.M. symposium, Mr. Hecht-Nielsen showed off a model of confabulation, demonstrating how his software program could read two sentences from The Detroit Free Press and create a third sentence that both made sense and was a natural extension of the previous text.

The New York Times - Tech

It includes corrections to the previous text that clarify the role of magnetism in star formation.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

While model retrieval is a natural and promising way to help designers find the right models for quick and accurate reuse, the retrieval technology for assemblies is yet to reach maturity since the previous text-based or low-level content-based assembly retrieval could not fully support the needs of users.

Computer-Aided Design

Our results are different from those of bibliographies listed in the previous texts.

Boundary Value Problems

The previous texts have been so comprehensive that it is dif cult to imagine he could add more information to the existing chapters and create additional new chapters.

Springer

Additionally, in contrast to the previous text-mining approaches focusing purely on miRNA gene relations, we extend the information extraction approach additionally to retrieve miRNA-disease relations.

F1000Research

Following the generation of the buffering "environment" (see previous text) the calculation for the calcium ion influx surrounding the channel mouth is performed separately for each channel, but the overall internal calcium ion concentration contribution at each vesicle sensor is derived from a linear summation of calcium channels ion influx.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous text", ensure the reference is clear and unambiguous. Avoid using it if there are multiple preceding sections of text that could cause confusion. It is more precise than using terms such as "as mentioned above" without explicit reference.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous text" when the text you are referring to is not immediately preceding or is separated by other text or elements. This can lead to confusion. Instead, be specific by citing section titles or using more descriptive references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous text" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a determiner + adjective + noun. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to reference a segment of writing that has already been presented or discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the previous text" is a grammatically sound and useful way to refer back to a prior section of writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to create clarity and cohesion in written communication. While it is frequently encountered in scientific and news-related contexts, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid any ambiguity. Consider using alternative phrases such as "the preceding text" or "the aforementioned text" when appropriate, and always ensure that your reference is clear to the reader. Properly employed, "the previous text" enhances understanding and strengthens the flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preceding text

Emphasizes the order of the text, specifically what came immediately before.

the prior text

Synonymous with "previous", but can sound slightly more formal.

the earlier text

Highlights that the text occurred at an earlier point, not necessarily immediately before.

the aforementioned text

A more formal way to refer back to text already mentioned.

the foregoing text

Similar to "aforementioned", but slightly more archaic in tone.

the text above

Specifies the location of the text, implying it is physically higher on the page.

the text referenced earlier

A more verbose but clear way to point back to text mentioned before.

the text in question

Refers back to the text being discussed, often used in a critical or analytical context.

the relevant text

Highlights that the referred text is important or pertinent to the current discussion.

the cited text

Indicates that the text is being referenced or quoted from.

FAQs

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

You can use "the previous text" to refer back to a section of writing that has already been presented, as in "For a more detailed explanation, see "the previous text"".

What's a good alternative to "the previous text"?

Alternatives include "the preceding text", "the aforementioned text", or "the earlier text", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "the previous text"?

It might be confusing if there are multiple preceding sections and it is unclear which one you are referring to. In such cases, be more specific. For example, "refer to the previous section on methodology" is better than "the previous text" alone.

How does "the previous text" differ from "the following text"?

"The previous text" refers to something already presented, while "the following text" refers to something that will be presented next. They are opposites in terms of temporal order.