Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[FumiFumi]

Dear Teachers,

Could you tell me the difference between "prior" and "previous"?

If I want to refer to an event in the past, and does not need to be the last event, which word is proper to be used infront of a noun?

Nouns I have in mind for this are: conference, speech, class, etc.

Or, if both are not proper, what word do you recommend?

My impression was:
Prior refers to the one before, and previous refers to things in the past including the last one.

Am I wrong?

Thank you for your help.

fumiFumi

[Eric Thompson]

Dear FumiFumi, It sounds like you know your English very well and know that "previous" and "prior" are quite interchangeable. Even Webster's Dictionary says so. In general, "previous" is the more commonly used by Americans. I recommend its use. When "previous" follows "the", it refers to the one immediately before. We generally don't put "the" before "prior". Therein lies the biggest difference between the two. Without "the" in front, "previous" means anything that happened before.....Some common combinations: prior commitment, previous engagement, prior knowledge. With "speech", "conference", "class", it's better use "previous". But "prior" is acceptable.

[FumiFumi]

Dear Eric,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Difference between "the previous ..." and "a previous", and the fact Americans normally use "the" in front of "prior" were quite interesting.

If I may, can I ask another question?

Hearing that you do not use "the" in front of "prior", I wonder if it means that you use "a" in front of "prior".

If it is the case, the "prior" refers to something immediately before?

I appreciate it a lot if you could answer this question.

[Eric Thompson]

FumiFumi, Yes Americans do use "a prior ______". I hear such phrases most often in connection with law enforcement. For example: "He had a prior arrest/offense/conviction." In fact, I hear the word "prior" being used as a noun, as in "He has a prior.", also in connection with law enforcement... But "a prior _____" doesn't refer the one immediately beforehand, just anything beforehand. OK?

[FumiFumi]

Dear Eric,

Thank you very much for your help!

It is clear now.