в прежнее

to its former state or position; in former times, depending on the noun that follows

→ в

phrase Rare #50,018

to its former state or position; in former times, depending on the noun that follows This is an incomplete phrase whose meaning depends on the noun it modifies: в прежнее положение means “back to its former position/state,” while в прежнее время means “in former times.” The adjective прежнее changes form to agree with the noun.

RU: Мы вернули комнату в прежнее положение.

EN: We restored the room to its former state.

В прежнее положение.

Back to its original position.

— Жизнь прекрасна (1997)

Однако, в прежнее время, ещё до вашего рождения, жизнь в стране Оз была иной.

However, in earlier times, before you were born, life in the Land of Oz was different.

— Злая: Сказка о ведьме Запада (2024)

Да, я изучал химию в прежнее время.

Yes, I studied chemistry in the past.

— Ешь, пей, мужчина, женщина (1994)