previous

The word "previous" is an adjective that means before.

• Jake’s previous job was in the construction industry. Now he’s a mechanic.
• Laura’s previous apartment was too small, so she moved.
• I’m sorry I’m late. I had a previous appointment that went long. (to go long = more time than expected)
• We discussed all of this in a previous meeting. Don’t you remember?

Add "ly" to the end of "previous" to form the adverb, "previously."

• The information was not known to the general public previously.
• Do you know where she worked previously?
• They were previously engaged to get married, but something happened and they called off the wedding.
• Previously, on All My Children, Erica discovered something disturbing about her new husband. (A description like this one exemplifies an update for viewers of a television program such as a soap opera.)

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July 14, 2013