this time previous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this time previous" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to a previous occurrence or event at the same time in a prior instance. Example: "This time previous, we had already completed the project ahead of schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This time, previous experience, and the advice of strangers on the Internet, had prepared me for the flake-pocalypse.

The New Yorker

During this time, previous studies have shown that SMCs are able to migrate and remodel the ECM [53]; however, it would be interesting to extend these studies in time.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All of this takes time (previous cases have taken years, during which victims of miscarriages of justice have subsisted on benefits), and I would hope that whoever is responsible for the error will settle any claim quickly so that Sean does not have to worry, any more, about lawyers, expense, courts and the police.

The Guardian

Some time previous to this visit, and in England, quite a distance from India, Eckhart had a spontaneous enlightenment experience when he fell into a line of self inquiry with himself in his small apartment near his university at the time, Cambridge.

Huffington Post

This time, the previous generation didn't help me".

The New York Times - Arts

"We have a court warrant this time, unlike previous times, when we only asked for the temple's cooperation, which did not work," Adisorn said.

The Guardian

England have a nice mix of experience and youth this time: in previous years, there were players who were maybe a bit past their best.

The Guardian - Sport

But after half a century of strict control, many Cubans doubt proclamations from officials, who insist that this time, despite previous crackdowns, private enterprise will be supported.

The New York Times

But many other parts of the UK also experienced flooding around this time, and previous research has suggested that experiencing flooding can increase both people's willingness to act on climate change, and their concern about the underlying problem.

The Guardian

Despite the severity of this economic downturn compared with those in the early 1980s and early 1990s, corporate profits bottomed at around 8% of GDP this time against previous figures of roughly 6% and 7.5%, respectively.

The Economist

Yet a recent Eurobarometer poll found that just 34% are likely to vote this time (and previous such polls have overestimated turnout).Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German foreign minister, declared last month that turnout would "depend largely on how positively we speak about Europe and the reform process" in the new treaty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "this time previous" in formal writing. It's not a standard or widely accepted expression.

Common error

Instead of using "this time previous", opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "previously at this time" or "at the same time in the past".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this time previous" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a temporal relationship. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's non-standard and can cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this time previous" is a non-standard and often confusing phrase. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially misleading, and its limited usage in diverse contexts confirms its rarity. While the intent is to compare the present to a similar time in the past, better alternatives like "previously at this time" or "at the same time in the past" exist. Therefore, avoid using "this time previous" in formal writing and opt for clearer, more widely accepted expressions to ensure effective communication. As Ludwig shows, authoritative sources generally prefer alternative phrasing, highlighting the importance of precise and standard language usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Previously at this time

Reorders the words to emphasize the past occurrence.

At this point in the past

Emphasizes a specific point of reference in time.

At the same time previously

Reorders the words for slightly better flow, but still sounds awkward.

During this time in the past

Highlights the duration and past nature.

This time in the past

Simplifies the phrase to focus on a past instance.

Earlier at this time

Simply indicates something happened sooner.

On previous occasions at this time

Emphasizes specific instances in the past.

In previous instances at this time

Adds formality and emphasizes repeated occurrences.

Prior to this time

Shortens the expression to indicate a point before now.

Before this moment

Focuses on the immediacy and contrast with the present.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this time previous"?

You can use alternatives like "previously at this time", "at the same time in the past", or simply "previously" depending on the context.

Is "this time previous" grammatically correct?

No, "this time previous" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more conventional phrasing.

How can I use "previously at this time" in a sentence?

Example: "Previously at this time, the project was still in its early stages, but now we are nearing completion."

What's the difference between "this time previous" and "last time"?

"Last time" refers to the most recent occurrence, while "this time previous" attempts to refer to a similar point in time further in the past, though it's not a standard or clear way to express that.