anteriores
/an-teh-RYOH-rehs/
previous
Anteriores can mean 'previous' in time or sequence, like the two ladybugs that precede the third one in the line.
anteriores(adjective)
previous
?in time or sequence
former
?referring to things or events
,preceding
?often in formal context
📝 In Action
Las semanas anteriores fueron muy ocupadas.
A2The previous weeks were very busy.
Hemos revisado los informes anteriores para encontrar errores.
B1We have reviewed the former reports to find errors.
Los datos anteriores no coincidían con estos nuevos números.
B2The preceding data did not match these new numbers.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Since 'anteriores' ends in -es, it is always used to describe two or more things. It works for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'los meses anteriores' or 'las clases anteriores').
Placement
Unlike some Spanish adjectives, 'anteriores' usually comes after the noun it describes, emphasizing the time or sequence (e.g., 'los días anteriores').
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
While 'pasados' (past) is often used in casual talk, 'anteriores' is preferred in written communication, business, and formal contexts.
As a noun, anteriores means 'the previous ones,' referring to items already mentioned, such as this group of five red stars.
📝 In Action
Estos resultados son mejores que los anteriores.
B1These results are better than the previous ones.
Las fotos nuevas son más claras que las anteriores.
B2The new photos are clearer than the former ones.
💡 Grammar Points
Standing Alone
In this usage, 'anteriores' acts like a noun, replacing the actual noun (e.g., 'reports,' 'photos'). You must always use an article ('los' or 'las') before it to show it's standing alone.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Article
Mistake: "Estos son mejores que anteriores."
Correction: Estos son mejores que **los** anteriores. (You need 'los' to signal that 'anteriores' is replacing a plural masculine noun.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: anteriores
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'anteriores' as a replacement for a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'anteriores' change form for masculine and feminine nouns?
No. The base word 'anterior' ends in -r, so its plural form 'anteriores' is used for both masculine plural nouns (los días anteriores) and feminine plural nouns (las noches anteriores). It's a handy word that doesn't change gender in the plural.
When should I use 'anteriores' instead of 'previos'?
They are very close synonyms. 'Anteriores' is slightly more common and versatile, especially when talking about things that came immediately before in a series or sequence. Use whichever sounds most natural to you in context.