previous - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
previous Word Meanings
- at an earlier time
- before now
- in the past
previous Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
previous Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈpriːviəs/
US
/ˈpriːviəs/
previous Word Etymology
pre- = before, vious = way, thus 'previous' means 'before in the way'. Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine walking a familiar path and then realizing you had gone this way before, marking memories of earlier moments.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
First I tilt my head and push the clock hands backward in my mind, as if I can move time a bit. I shuffle memories, turn the scene to earlier moments, and watch details shift into place as I adjust the sense of now. The work feels like a careful adjustment, a way to set aside the present and keep what came before tucked behind it.
Real Context
Previous describes something earlier in time or in a sequence, often referring back to a noun or clause that has already been mentioned. It points to a moment or item that came before the current one, as in the previous page or the previous year. In contrast to next, or subsequent, previous signals a direct relation to what has just been discussed. It can modify nouns (the previous chapter) or act as an adverb in phrases like previously (though the adverb 'previously' is more common). In everyday speech, thinking of ‘before now’ or ‘in the past’ helps learners remember its core meaning and avoid confusing it with 'future' terms.
Usage Reminders
- • Use 'previous' to refer to the thing just mentioned.
- • Do not use it for future events; use 'next' or 'following' instead.
- • Place before nouns: the previous chapter, the previous owner.
- • For a tempo or narration, use 'previously' as the adverb.
- • Distinguish from 'prior' which can be more formal or emphatic.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing previous with 'earlier' or 'before' in all contexts
- Thinking 'previous' can describe the most recent event in a series
- Using 'previous' to mean 'next' or 'future' in narration
- Mistaking 'previous' as a standalone adverb when it's mainly an adjective before a noun
- Forgetting to use 'previously' as the adverb for actions before now
Thinking Differences
For English learners, previous often relies on a reference point in discourse; many confuse it with earlier or before, and forget that it modifies a noun (the previous chapter) or refers to a directly prior moment.
Learning Tips
- Practice with a timeline: place events in order using previous, then next.
- Compare with 'prior' for formal writing.
- Remember to use previously for adverbial actions.
- Block out future references; reserve 'previous' for past things.
- Use memory cues: think of walking a path you've walked before.
- Read aloud to hear where the reference point lies.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'previous'?
A.Following
B.Before
C.Next
D.Current
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'previous' used in a sentence?
A.The previous year was challenging.
B.I will be previous.
C.She is going to previous the project.
D.Let's meet previous to the event.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'previous'?
A.Upcoming
B.Subsequent
C.Recent
D.Later
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'previous'?
A.New
B.Current
C.Following
D.Future
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you use the word 'previous'?
A.Ordering food at a restaurant
B.Talking about the weather forecast
C.Describing a new technology
D.Discussing historical events
Related Listening
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