I previously obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I previously obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something you acquired or received in the past. Example: "I previously obtained the necessary documents for the application process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Structure function insights in mitochondrial complex I have been previously obtained from the analysis of mutations in the ND genes that are associated with human diseases.

Cell Death and Disease

Results for this boundary condition are compared to nonlinear results previously obtained for: (i) simply supported plates with immovable edges; (ii) simply supported plates with movable edges, and (iii) fully clamped plates.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Four (5%) of the participants who completed the study were Graduate Entry Course (GEC) students i.e. they had previously obtained a First or 2 1 Honours degree in a life sciences discipline.

BMC Medical Education

We performed a descriptive analysis of previously obtained patterns (i.e. cardiometabolic (CM), mechanical (MEC) and psychogeriatric (PG)) and the diseases included in the patterns stratifying by sex and age group.

BMC Geriatrics

Protein stability was calculated with the PoPMuSiC 2.1 web server [ 103] using the MEPE PDB file previously obtained in I-TASSER to calculate the sites Γ considering all the possible mutations in each site.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Using a similar structure-based approach for class I MHC epitope prediction, we previously obtained an AUC of 0.85 for epitope prediction for a H2-Kb murine MHC allotype that is highly dissimilar to the human HLA-A*0201 HLA-A*0201sed for trallotype36].

Plosone

The model presented here can be used in non-syndromic short children, independently of birth size, and provides the best prediction accuracy available [ 1, 3, 4] (i.e. as high as previously obtained models using pretreatment information).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Having previously obtained an extra set of clean sheets [$20 — laundry], I traded these and my silence for L.'s superior berth.

The New Yorker

She previously obtained a MSc.

University of California, Berkeley

The lawsuit was settled last week, lifting sanctions for builders who had previously obtained water permits.

The New York Times

This transformation requires the use of a previously obtained optically active substance.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I previously obtained", ensure the context clearly indicates what you obtained and why it's relevant to the current discussion. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I previously obtained" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer. For example, instead of "I previously obtained a degree", consider "I earned a degree earlier" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I previously obtained" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker or writer acquired something at an earlier time. The Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts like describing academic achievements or past possessions. It is a phrase that connects a past action to a present context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I previously obtained" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate a past acquisition or attainment. While Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and understandable, the limited examples suggest a need for more diverse data to fully assess its frequency and contexts. The phrase works effectively in both neutral and formal registers to provide background information. When using "I previously obtained", clarity and relevance to the current discussion are crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had acquired before

Replaces "obtained" with "acquired" and uses past perfect tense for emphasis on completion.

I formerly secured

Substitutes "obtained" with "secured" and "previously" with "formerly", suggesting a more formal tone.

I once possessed

Uses "possessed" to indicate ownership or control at some point in the past.

I have earlier attained

Replaces "obtained" with "attained" and uses present perfect tense with "earlier".

I had received in the past

Expresses the idea of receiving something before, using a more descriptive phrasing.

I already gained

Emphasizes the act of gaining something before, using "already" for added emphasis.

I previously came into possession of

Uses a more elaborate phrasing to describe the act of obtaining something.

I formerly held

Indicates a past state of holding or possessing something.

I secured in the past

Focuses on the action of securing something at an earlier time.

I acquired at an earlier date

Uses "acquired" and specifies that the acquisition happened at an earlier date.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I previously obtained" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "I formerly secured", "I had earlier attained", or "I previously came into possession of". These alternatives /s/i+formerly+secured, /s/i+had+earlier+attained, /s/i+previously+came+into+possession+of often lend a more professional or academic feel to your writing.

What's a simpler way to say "I previously obtained"?

Simpler alternatives include "I had acquired before", "I already gained", or even just "I got before". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey /s/i+had+acquired+before, /s/i+already+gained, /s/i+got+before.

Is it correct to say "I have previously obtained" instead of "I previously obtained"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "I have previously obtained" uses the present perfect tense, emphasizing the continuing relevance of the past action. "I previously obtained" uses the simple past tense, focusing on the action's completion in the past.

What is the difference between "I previously obtained" and "I subsequently obtained"?

"I previously obtained" means you got something at an earlier time. "I subsequently obtained" means you got something at a later time, usually after something else happened. Therefore, the words "previously" and "subsequently" indicate opposite timelines.