I previously wrote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I previously wrote" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring back to something you have written before, often in the context of a discussion or clarification. Example: "In my last email, I previously wrote about the project's timeline and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Henry Bingham, author of the Fiona Griffiths series of crime novels, said: "I previously wrote seven books for HarperCollins which they were no longer actively marketing and I offered to buy the rights back at market value.

Independent

*** Geoff Dyer's most recent book, "Zona," published last February, and which I previously wrote on here, is "about" Andrei Tarkovsky's film "Stalker" in the same way that Ashbery's poem is "about" the Parmigianino painting.

The New Yorker

As I previously wrote here, the government can produce no basis for the dossier's claim, repeated by Blair in the House of Commons, that Iraq could develop a nuclear weapon in "a year or two".

The Guardian - Opinion

As I previously wrote in the Guardian and elsewhere, both the Bush and Obama administration have - through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states - fostered extremist Sunni groups affiliated to al-Qaida across the Middle East to counter Iranian influence.

The Guardian

But, as I previously wrote, while we were meeting in the editor's office to discuss what to do about Mahmood's misdemeanour "he wrote a letter of resignation and left the building".

The Guardian

Geoff Dyer's most recent book, "Zona," published last February, and which I previously wrote on here, is "about" Andrei Tarkovsky's film "Stalker" in the same way that Ashbery's poem is "about" the Parmigianino painting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

As I've previously written, I grew up in a family of music lovers.

Huffington Post

The fact is, much of what I had previously written down I had forgotten about anyway.

Science Magazine

I have previously written that I am no fan of Hillary Clinton.

Huffington Post

I've previously written that I've had "volunteer" plants that pop up unexpectedly and in the most unusual places.

Huffington Post

I had previously written "Jesus," and I grew up in an environment where the kids in my school were either Muslim or Jewish or Zoroastrian.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I previously wrote", ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion about which writing you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "I previously wrote" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or self-referential. Consider using variations like "as mentioned earlier" or "as I already wrote" for a smoother reading experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I previously wrote" serves as an explicit reference to the author's prior writing. This functions to establish context, build upon existing arguments, and maintain consistency throughout a piece of writing. Ludwig confirms the correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I previously wrote" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for referring to one's prior writing. It is most common in the news and media, as shown by Ludwig, where it is used to provide context and ensure coherence. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "as mentioned earlier". By using "I previously wrote" judiciously, writers can effectively link their ideas and enhance the clarity of their message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wrote before

Emphasizes the act of writing in the past, less formal.

I have written earlier

Highlights that the writing occurred at an earlier time.

As I have already written

More formal and emphasizes that the point has been made before.

In my previous writing

Focuses on a specific instance of previous writing.

I documented earlier

Highlights documentation, implies factual record.

I stated in my earlier piece

References a specific piece of writing where the statement was made.

I mentioned in an earlier article

Refers to a prior mention within a published article.

I pointed out before

Emphasizes the act of highlighting or drawing attention to something previously.

I touched on this subject earlier

Indicates that the topic was addressed, but perhaps not in detail.

I covered this in a past article

Specifies the act of dealing with a subject matter in a past publication.

FAQs

How can I use "I previously wrote" in a sentence?

You can use "I previously wrote" to refer back to something you've already written. For example, "I previously wrote about the project's initial goals, and now we're revisiting them."

What can I say instead of "I previously wrote"?

You can use alternatives like "I mentioned earlier", "as I stated before", or "I already wrote" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I previously wrote"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to refer back to something you have written before.

How does "I previously wrote" differ from "I wrote earlier"?

"I previously wrote" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the fact that you wrote something at an earlier point. "I wrote earlier" is a simpler, less emphatic way to say the same thing.