How to use "aforementioned"

What Does "aforementioned" Mean?

• What it expresses: refers to something previously mentioned; degree of specificity.
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: noun or noun phrase.
• Register: formal

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: mid-sentence, directly before the noun or noun phrase it modifies; rarely at the beginning or end.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It specifies which instance of a noun is being referred to, clarifying it's the one already discussed.
• Grammatical flexibility: It cannot be fronted or used with negation; rarely appears in questions.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in informal speech or writing, using it when nothing has been previously mentioned, or using it to modify verbs or adjectives.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from aforementioned on Ludwig.guru.

"In 2005 the aforementioned cardboard tabletop that belongs with the cardboard guitar was rediscovered in the MoMA basement, this exhibition marks the first time they are shown together, and also includes a variety of collages, 'constructions', drawings, photographs and paintings that follow similar themes." — economist.com

"A few preliminary caveats and reminders: (a) It is not possible to cover every aspect of Maimonides' Islamic philosophical heritage (even if we restrict ourselves to the aforementioned text traditions) in a format of this sort; one might certainly speak of other Islamic writers whose works arguably influenced Maimonides." — plato.stanford.edu

"Two of his favourite Instagrammers are @secretcities and the aforementioned @othellonine." — theguardian.com

"Dripping wet, chest hair soaked, the prime minister stood in aforementioned budgie smugglers and told Channel Ten viewers of his new year's resolution to "be the best I can be" and vowed to get in at least a few more surfs before the end of January." — theguardian.com

"And it was eventually confirmed the entire stunt was the work of chicken restaurant chain Nando's – a client of the aforementioned agency – which thanked the residents of Bowen for being "good sports"." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/aforementioned

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
previous	More common and less formal; suitable for general use.
earlier	Simpler and more direct; appropriate when referring to something mentioned shortly before.
above	Used when referring to something mentioned in the preceding text, especially in numbered lists or sections.
the former	Used when referring to the first of two things previously mentioned.
said	(Legal/Formal) Used in legal or formal writing to refer to something previously mentioned, e.g., "the said agreement".
designated	(Formal) Used when referring to something that has been officially named or identified.

Common Mistakes

• Using "aforementioned" in casual conversation or informal writing makes the speaker sound overly pretentious.
• It's incorrect to use "aforementioned" if you haven't explicitly mentioned the noun or phrase previously in the text or conversation.
• Learners often use "aforementioned" in overly formal contexts where a simpler word like "previous" or "earlier" would be more appropriate.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
aforementioned	Refers to something previously mentioned	Formal	Mid-sentence, before the noun/phrase

FAQs

Where does "aforementioned" typically appear in a sentence?

"Aforementioned" typically appears mid-sentence, directly before the noun or noun phrase it modifies. It's rare to find it at the beginning or end of a sentence.

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How does "aforementioned" differ from "previous"?

While both refer to something that came before, "aforementioned" is more formal and specifically points back to something already mentioned in the current text. "Previous" is more general and can refer to something earlier in time or sequence, not necessarily within the same document or conversation.

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Is it always appropriate to use "aforementioned", or are there times when a simpler word would be better?

Learners often use "aforementioned" in overly formal contexts where a simpler word like "previous" or "earlier" would be more appropriate. Using simpler terms in less formal writing will make your writing sound more natural and less stilted.