Previous scholarship has
Research methodology and reporting expression
Literally: Past academic work has
Use this phrase to show you've researched a topic's history before presenting your own new ideas.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to summarize what experts already know.
- Used primarily in academic writing and professional reports.
- Positions your ideas within a larger history of research.
Meaning
This is a fancy way of saying 'other experts who studied this before me have found...' It helps you summarize what is already known about a topic.
Key Examples
3 of 6Writing a university essay
Previous scholarship has largely ignored the role of women in this era.
Research from the past hasn't really looked at women's roles during this time.
A formal business presentation
Previous scholarship has established a clear link between sleep and productivity.
Experts have already proven that sleep helps people work better.
Texting a fellow PhD student
I'm struggling because previous scholarship has been so contradictory on this!
I'm having a hard time because all the old books say different things!
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the Western academic tradition of 'standing on the shoulders of giants.' It emphasizes that individual discovery is always built upon a collective history of shared knowledge. In English-speaking universities, using this phrase correctly is seen as a mark of high-level literacy and respect for the intellectual community.
Pair it with strong verbs
Don't just say 'has shown.' Use powerful verbs like `contended`, `postulated`, or `illuminated` to sound even more like a pro.
Don't confuse with money
In this context, 'scholarship' means academic study, not the money given to students to pay for school. Don't use it to talk about your tuition!
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to summarize what experts already know.
- Used primarily in academic writing and professional reports.
- Positions your ideas within a larger history of research.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as the 'Previously on...' segment of a TV show. It catches everyone up on the story before you add your own chapter. In the world of ideas, we rarely start from zero. We look at what others discovered first. This phrase is your bridge from their work to yours. It shows you are part of a bigger conversation.
How To Use It
You usually place this at the start of a paragraph. It acts like a professional signpost. It tells your audience that you have done your homework. You should follow it with a verb in the present perfect tense. Try using Previous scholarship has indicated or Previous scholarship has overlooked. It makes you sound authoritative and very polished.
When To Use It
Use this when you are writing an essay or a formal report. It is the gold standard for the 'Literature Review' section of a paper. You can also use it during a high-level business meeting. If you want to sound like a true expert, this is your best friend. It shows you respect the history of the topic you are discussing.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at the grocery store or the gym. Saying 'Previous scholarship has shown these apples are tart' will get you some very weird looks. Avoid it in casual texts unless you are being intentionally ironic. It is far too heavy for a quick chat with friends. Keep it for when the intellectual stakes are higher.
Cultural Background
Western academia is obsessed with citing sources. We call it the 'Great Conversation.' The idea is that knowledge is a massive building made of many bricks. This phrase is how you point to the bricks that other people laid down. It is a sign of intellectual humility and extreme rigor. It shows you aren't just making things up.
Common Variations
If you get bored of the same words, you can mix it up. Prior research has is a very common and classic alternative. Existing studies have works perfectly for scientific or data-heavy topics. If you want to be more specific about history, try Historical accounts have. They all do the same heavy lifting for your argument.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level academic marker. It is strictly formal. Using it correctly shows you understand the 'rules' of academic discourse, but using it in casual settings will make you sound like a robot or a textbook.
Pair it with strong verbs
Don't just say 'has shown.' Use powerful verbs like `contended`, `postulated`, or `illuminated` to sound even more like a pro.
Don't confuse with money
In this context, 'scholarship' means academic study, not the money given to students to pay for school. Don't use it to talk about your tuition!
The 'Passive' Secret
Academics use this phrase to avoid saying 'I.' It shifts the focus from the person to the knowledge itself, which is a key trait of English academic culture.
Examples
6Previous scholarship has largely ignored the role of women in this era.
Research from the past hasn't really looked at women's roles during this time.
This identifies a 'gap' in the research that the writer will now fill.
Previous scholarship has established a clear link between sleep and productivity.
Experts have already proven that sleep helps people work better.
Using 'scholarship' instead of 'studies' makes the speaker sound more educated.
I'm struggling because previous scholarship has been so contradictory on this!
I'm having a hard time because all the old books say different things!
Even in a text, academics might use this language when discussing their work.
Previous scholarship has suggested that you never actually wash your coffee mug.
Based on my observations, you never clean your cup.
This is a humorous way to use high-level language for a mundane problem.
Previous scholarship has failed to uncover our family's true origins in Europe.
Past research hasn't found where our family actually came from.
This adds a sense of gravity and mystery to a personal search.
Previous scholarship has provided the framework for our current understanding.
The work done before now gave us the tools to understand this issue.
This acknowledges the foundations of a complex scientific topic.
Test Yourself
Choose the best verb to complete this formal academic sentence.
Previous scholarship has ___ that the economic impact was underestimated.
In formal writing, 'demonstrated' is much more appropriate than 'told' or 'said'.
Complete the phrase to introduce a literature review.
___ scholarship has focused primarily on urban development.
'Previous' is the standard adjective used in this specific academic collocation.
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Visual Learning Aids
Formality Level of 'Previous scholarship has'
Talking to friends about a movie.
People say...
A standard news report or blog post.
Experts have found...
A university lecture or textbook.
Research suggests...
A peer-reviewed journal or thesis.
Previous scholarship has...
Where to use 'Previous scholarship has'
Writing a Thesis
Summarizing your sources.
Academic Conference
Opening a presentation.
Grant Application
Proving you know the field.
Serious Debate
Backing up your claims with history.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn this context, it refers to the collective body of work produced by researchers and experts. It is not about the financial aid given to students.
Yes, Previous research has is a very common synonym. However, scholarship sounds slightly more prestigious and is often used in the humanities.
Mostly, yes. You might hear it in a formal speech or a lecture, but you would almost never hear it in a casual conversation at a bar.
Because 'scholarship' is an uncountable noun acting as a single collective body of work. Therefore, it takes the singular verb has.
You can also use Past or Prior, but Previous is the most standard academic choice. It sounds the most natural in a formal paper.
Only if the email is very formal and involves a report. If you are just emailing a colleague about a meeting, it will sound way too stiff.
It is almost always followed by the present perfect tense, like has shown or has argued. This connects the past work to the present moment.
Absolutely! You can say, Previous scholarship has suggested X, but I argue Y. This is a classic way to start an argument.
It implies both. It covers any formal, peer-reviewed work including books, journal articles, and conference papers.
It is equally common in both. Academic English is very similar across the globe, and this phrase is a staple in both regions.
Related Phrases
Literature suggests that
A way to say that most books/articles on the topic point to a specific conclusion.
The consensus among scholars is
Used when almost all experts agree on a particular point.
A burgeoning body of research
Refers to a topic that is currently getting a lot of new attention from experts.
Contrary to previous findings
A way to introduce information that goes against what was previously believed.
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