0
Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Previous vs. Last

Does the word 'previous' have the same meaning as 'last?

For example:

List of my sponsors:

John (1996 to 1998)

Joseph (1998 to 2000)

Peter (2000 to present)

Is it correct to say the following:

1. Joseph is my previous sponsor.

2. John is my previous sponsor.

3. John is one of my previous sponsors.
  

Top answer

Hi, My Canadian Oxford Dictionary offers these meanings. i previous coming before in time or order last 1. after all others; coming at or belonging to the end 2.

  • Hi, My Canadian Oxford Dictionary offers these meanings.
  • i previous coming before in time or order last 1.
  • after all others; coming at or belonging to the end 2.
  • (a) most recent (b) preceding; previous in a sequence You can see the potential for overlap in meanngs.
  • Does the word 'previous' have the same meaning as 'last?
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
Hi,

My Canadian Oxford Dictionary offers these meanings.

I have not included some other meanings that seem unrelated to your question.i



previous coming before in time or order



last

1. after all others; coming at or belonging to the end

2. (a) most recent (b) preceding; previous in a sequence


0
Thanks Clive for your helpful explanation. It was so kind of you.

List of my sponsors:
John (1996 to 1998)
Joseph (1998 to 2000)
Peter (2000 to present)

With the same example, can I say the following?

John is a previous sponsor of mine. -- Does this suggest that I had more than one previous sponsor because of the article 'a'?
0
Also, if I say:

John was my previous sponsor. -- Does it still suggest I only had one previous sponsor, the same with is?

Does 'previous' imply immediately before the current or present that's why I can't say "John is my previous sponsor," in the given example?
0
Hi,

List of my sponsors:
John (1996 to 1998)
Joseph (1998 to 2000)
Peter (2000 to present)

With the same example, can I say the following?

John is a previous sponsor of mine. -- Does this suggest that I had more than one previous sponsor because of the article 'a'? Yes.

I just actually rephrase my origina
0
Hi,

Also, if I say:

John was my previous sponsor. -- Does it still suggest I only had one previous sponsor, the same with is? Yes.

Does 'previous' imply immediately before the current or present that's why I can't say "John is my previous sponsor," in the given example? Yes.



Clive
0
Thank you for answering all my questions. Great help, indeed.

Related Questions