previous

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Coming just before, or at an earlier time than, the one you are discussing.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: the previous owner, the previous chapter.

   Patterns

   • the previous one
   • a previous something

   The previous tenant left a box of books in the attic.

   I read the previous chapter twice before moving on.

   She had a previous appointment, so she left early.

2. 2adjectiveafter a verbformal

   Happening earlier than you expected or earlier than the time named, usually followed by to.

   Grammar: Appears as previous to something in formal writing: previous to the meeting.

   Patterns

   • previous to something

   Previous to joining the firm, he worked as a teacher.

   The roads had been cleared previous to our arrival.

Common combinations

previous experience

No previous experience is required for the course.

previous owner

The previous owner had painted every wall yellow.

previous night

I had barely slept the previous night.

previous record

She broke the previous record by three seconds.

previous conviction

He had no previous convictions.

Synonyms and how they differ

earlier

Earlier simply compares times and is more casual, while previous points to the one immediately before in a sequence.

former

Former describes a past role or state that has ended, whereas previous only places something earlier in order.

prior

Prior is more formal and often suggests an obligation that came first, as in a prior engagement.

preceding

Preceding means directly before in position or order, and is often used of pages and paragraphs.

Opposites

Word family

previously adverb

at an earlier time

previousness noun

the state of being earlier (rare)

preview noun

an advance look at something

prevenient adjective

coming before (rare, formal)

Commonly confused: previous or precious?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “previous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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