the prior paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the prior paragraph" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a previously mentioned paragraph in a text or document. Example: "As stated in the prior paragraph, the results of the study indicate a significant correlation between the variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The advantage of converting this year is the ability to report income in two installments (with the potential for better matching state income tax deductions as described in the prior paragraph).

Forbes

I would posit that a better analysis of the controversy arises from Ms. Rabinowitz' statement in the prior paragraph of the article: "Despite all my accomplishments -- and my age is also an accomplishment -- I felt minimized".

Huffington Post

The latter will never happen, and neither will the prior paragraph's suggestion.

Huffington Post

In the revised manuscript we have maintained the use of qualifiers to indicate the lack of complete certainty (which would likely require structures of mutant and wild-type αβ- tubulin, and more) while also re-working the discussion surrounding these data to include some of the arguments from the prior paragraph.

eLife

Results of PH tests in the right column of Table 2 rendered questionable all but the marital and racial assertions of the prior paragraph; because all other statistically significant HR bore correlations between residuals and time that were deemed to not have been explicable by chance (P < 0.025 for each assessment).

Cancer Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And if that prior paragraph was too jargon-y for you (if not, please proceed to Hacker News), the long and short of it is that FatFractal aims to help developers speed time to launch by allowing them to code not just more quickly, but more elegantly, because it's allowing developers to code natively.

TechCrunch

Demographic and SES characteristics (listed in prior paragraph) for these areas were used as the predictors (x-variables) in a multivariable normal regression imputation model to predict block-group health behavior/outcome prevalence.

BMC Public Health

The claims themselves each consist of a conclusory recitation of the applicable legal standard and a general "reference [to] all allegations of all prior paragraphs as though fully set forth herein".

TechCrunch

In this paragraph, we explore the prior distribution of the phase (at instant given phase samples up to ) as a candidate sampling distribution: (36).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Because a different region of the 16S rRNA locus was targeted for sequencing in the prior studies referenced in the above paragraph, direct OTU comparisons cannot be performed.

BMC Genomics

If you open the classification audit and read the first paragraph, it says that there is a vacancy open since the prior occupant of that position was promoted".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the prior paragraph" to clearly and concisely refer back to a specific section of text that has already been presented. This avoids repetition and maintains flow.

Common error

Avoid using "the prior paragraph" when the reference is unclear or too distant. If several paragraphs have intervened, restate the key points instead to prevent reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the prior paragraph" functions as a referential marker, specifically an anaphoric reference. It points back to a previously mentioned paragraph, directing the reader to revisit that section for context or information. Ludwig examples showcase this function effectively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the prior paragraph" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to reference a preceding section of text. Ludwig confirms its usability across different contexts, even if it's more frequent in scientific and news media sources. While alternatives like "the previous paragraph" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context of your writing. Remember to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity when using such references. Using "the prior paragraph" efficiently enhances the flow and coherence of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the previous paragraph

Replaces "prior" with "previous", indicating a change in word choice while maintaining the same meaning.

the preceding paragraph

Substitutes "prior" with "preceding", offering a more formal synonym with identical semantic content.

the paragraph above

Uses a spatial reference instead of a temporal one, implying a direct vertical arrangement of paragraphs.

the earlier paragraph

Replaces "prior" with "earlier", indicating a less formal but equally clear reference to a paragraph mentioned before.

the immediately preceding paragraph

Emphasizes that the paragraph is the one directly before, leaving no room for ambiguity.

the foregoing paragraph

Employs "foregoing" as a more archaic and formal substitute for "prior", suitable for legal or academic contexts.

paragraph mentioned earlier

Changes the sentence structure, placing the emphasis on the act of mentioning the paragraph.

the paragraph in question

Implies that the paragraph is currently under discussion or scrutiny.

the initial paragraph

Refer to the first paragraph ever written

that paragraph

Relies on the reader already knowing which paragraph is being referred to, making it less explicit.

FAQs

How can I use "the prior paragraph" in a sentence?

You can use "the prior paragraph" to refer to something already mentioned, for example: "As explained in "the prior paragraph", this approach has limitations."

What is a synonym for "the prior paragraph"?

Alternatives include "the previous paragraph", "the preceding paragraph", or "the earlier paragraph".

Is it better to say "the prior paragraph" or "the previous paragraph"?

Both "the prior paragraph" and "the previous paragraph" are acceptable. "Previous" is more commonly used in general writing, while "prior" might be considered slightly more formal.

When should I avoid using "the prior paragraph"?

Avoid using "the prior paragraph" if it's unclear which paragraph you're referring to. If there's any ambiguity, rephrase the information or use a more specific reference.