I mentioned earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I mentioned earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer back to something you have previously stated in the same conversation or text. Example: "As I mentioned earlier, the deadline for the project is next Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Take the writers I mentioned earlier.

The Guardian - Music

Witness the museum figures I mentioned earlier.

The Guardian

This is the Mark Sullivan whom I mentioned earlier.

The New Yorker

And, as I mentioned earlier, she's a practiced listener.

The New Yorker

As I mentioned earlier, she had been demoted.

The Guardian

As I mentioned earlier, don't miss the distillery.

The Guardian - Travel

This is because of the inherent constraints I mentioned earlier.

The Guardian

I mentioned earlier about growing up in Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Film

Remember the primitive system of communication I mentioned earlier?

The Guardian - Music

That's where the vulture I mentioned earlier perches, spreading its baleful wings.

The New York Times

As I mentioned earlier, over time I looked less at Arts & Letters Daily.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you're referring to something very specific, consider adding a brief reminder of what you mentioned to avoid any ambiguity for your readers. This is especially useful in longer texts or complex arguments.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "I mentioned earlier". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Try to vary your transitional phrases and sentence structures for a more dynamic read.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I mentioned earlier" functions as a transitional phrase, connecting a current statement to something previously stated. It alerts the reader or listener to recall earlier information for context. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I mentioned earlier" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to refer back to a previously stated point, contributing to the coherence of your writing or speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While very common in News & Media, it is also acceptable in formal business and scientific writing. For variety, consider alternatives such as "as I stated previously" or "earlier I indicated that". Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in short spans of writing and to ensure clarity by summarizing the referenced point if necessary. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "I mentioned earlier" into your writing and ensure seamless transitions between ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As I stated previously

Replaces 'mentioned' with 'stated' for a slightly more formal tone.

As I said before

Uses 'said' instead of 'mentioned' for a more direct and informal feel.

Earlier, I indicated that

Substitutes 'mentioned' with 'indicated' for a more subtle reference.

I previously noted

Emphasizes that the information was 'noted' in the past.

Before, I touched upon

Suggests a briefer or less detailed prior reference.

I alluded to this earlier

Implies a less direct or more suggestive earlier reference.

To reiterate what I said earlier

Adds emphasis that the point is worth repeating.

Returning to my previous point

Focuses on the act of returning to a discussion point.

As discussed earlier

A more concise option, suitable when the context is clear.

Recall that I mentioned

Prompts the listener or reader to actively remember the previous statement.

FAQs

What's a good way to rephrase "I mentioned earlier" to avoid repetition?

You can use phrases like "as I stated previously", "as I said before", or "earlier I indicated that" to introduce a point you've already discussed.

How can I make it clear what "I mentioned earlier" refers to?

To avoid ambiguity, briefly summarize or rephrase the point you're referencing. For example, instead of just saying "As "I mentioned earlier"", you could say "As "I mentioned earlier", regarding the budget constraints,...". This provides immediate context.

Is it appropriate to use "I mentioned earlier" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "I mentioned earlier" might be perceived as slightly informal for very formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "as previously stated" or "as indicated above" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "I mentioned earlier" and "as I mentioned earlier"?

"As "I mentioned earlier"" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for recalling previous information. "I mentioned earlier" can also stand alone as a statement but is less common when directly preceding the information being recalled. The version with "as" provides smoother flow in most cases.