previous element-qualifier* (is | isnt) (element-name | element-name-list)

A test that succeeds if the qualified element is not the first sub-element of its parent, and if the previous sub-element has the specified element name. Otherwise, it fails (and returns false).

For example, the following "do...done" block uses a previous is test, and the actions within the block (not shown here) will only be executed if the current element follows a paragraph (par) element:

  do when previous is par
  ...
  done

The previous is test ignores inclusions and data content.