the previous time

USAGE SUMMARY

"the previous time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past event or occurrence and you want to contrast it with the present situation. For example, "This time, I will do things differently than the previous time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The previous time I visited was as a student.

The Times

If that was "austere" consider the previous time London was host.

The Guardian - Opinion

The previous time I talked to her, she still had not read "Black Elk Speaks".

The New Yorker

GM: Each time I go to Antarctica is different from the previous time.

The Guardian

The previous time that the two teams met, Portland had won.

The New Yorker

Each frame took an average of 13 hours to complete, double the previous time.

The Guardian - Film

December 1991 was the previous time the unemployment rate was a single-digit figure.

The New York Times

The previous time it went up, in February 2010, the figure increased to $14.294 trillion.

The Guardian

The previous time the Cubs had seen Turner, he stole seven bases in three games.

The Washington Post

Intersection and conservation markers defined at the previous time step are discarded.

Journal of Computational Physics

Another said, "Each decade, each age, has opportunities that weren't actually there in the previous time".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting "the previous time" with the current situation, ensure that the differences are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous time" when the specific past instance is unclear or has not been explicitly defined within the conversation or text. Ensure the reference is obvious to your audience.

Linguistic Context

"The previous time" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun or clause, specifying a particular past occasion or instance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to refer to a specific past event, especially when making comparisons or providing context. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, ensure clarity by making the reference point distinct. Consider alternatives like "the prior occasion" or "the last instance" for slight variations in meaning or formality. The phrase finds common usage in news, scientific writing and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the last instance

Focuses on the particular occurrence rather than a general period.

the prior occasion

Uses 'prior' to emphasize an earlier event.

the preceding event

Highlights the event that came immediately before.

the earlier instance

Emphasizes that it was an earlier occurrence without specific focus on sequence.

the former occasion

Uses 'former' to indicate a past event.

on the last occasion

Adds emphasis to the specific occasion.

the time before

More informal and general reference to a prior event.

last time around

Informal way of referencing a prior occasion, particularly in a cyclical context.

the last go-round

Informal, suggesting a repeated activity.

the other time

General, less precise reference to a previous event.

FAQs

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

You can use "the previous time" to refer to an earlier event, such as: "The results this year are better than "the previous time" we conducted the experiment."

What's a more formal way to say "the previous time"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the prior occasion" or "the preceding instance".

Is it correct to say "the last time" instead of "the previous time"?

Yes, "the last time" can often be used interchangeably with "the previous time", especially when referring to the most recent occurrence of something. However, "the previous time" may be more appropriate when discussing a specific event among multiple past occurrences.

When should I not use "the previous time"?

Avoid using "the previous time" if the context doesn't clearly establish which prior event you're referring to. In such cases, provide more specific details to avoid confusion.