Previously understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Previously understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was comprehended or accepted in the past. Example: "The concept was previously understood by the team, but recent developments have changed our perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some natural variability not previously understood?

The Washington Post

This suggests that the number of false convictions is higher than previously understood.

The New York Times

The Severn Project has annual revenues of £115,000, not £350,000 as previously understood.

The Guardian

Genentech said it had previously understood that the F.D.A. would not require such data.

The New York Times

So you can have feedbacks that are subtler than what we previously understood.

Columbia University

Few of us previously understood just how exhaustively the American news media would follow a celebrity story.

The New York Times

The location of where the drives were manufactured was not previously understood by the downstream value chain.

The Guardian

This calculation seemed to prove that Williams was even more superhuman an athlete than was previously understood.

The New Yorker

Specialization of Ur. sapphirina on annelid hosts demonstrates that the host breadth of mosquitoes is substantially broader than previously understood.

Nature

Friday's report will show that the interaction of human and natural influences is more complicated than was previously understood.

Independent

But the sting of social rejection may be more like the ouch! of physical pain than previously understood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Previously understood" to clearly indicate a change in knowledge or awareness, highlighting the difference between past and present understanding. This is especially useful in academic and scientific writing where evolving knowledge is common.

Common error

Avoid using "Previously understood" when referring to something that is still currently understood. The phrase implies a shift in understanding, so it's inappropriate if the initial understanding remains valid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously understood" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time frame of a past understanding that has since changed. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to highlight shifts in knowledge or perception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously understood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight shifts in knowledge and perception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts. With a neutral register, it commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Academia. It's crucial to use this phrase when there's a clear change in understanding, avoiding misuse when the initial understanding remains valid. Related phrases include "prior understanding" and "formerly known". This analysis, combined with insights from Ludwig AI, ensures effective usage of "previously understood" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prior understanding

Slightly more formal alternative.

What we knew before

Highlights a prior state of knowledge from a collective perspective.

What was once thought

Emphasizes a past belief or understanding.

Formerly known

Focuses on a change in identity or status.

Past comprehension

Highlights the act of understanding in the past.

As it was known before

Highlights a past state of knowledge.

Earlier conception

Refers to a prior idea or notion.

Initial perception

Focuses on the first impression or view.

Original interpretation

Emphasizes a past interpretation or explanation.

Hitherto understood

More formal and less common alternative, meaning "up to this point".

FAQs

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

"Previously understood" is used to indicate that something was known or believed in the past, but is now known or believed to be different. For example, "The risks were greater than "previously understood"".

What are some alternatives to "previously understood"?

Alternatives include "formerly known", "prior understanding", or "what was once thought". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "than was previously understood" or "than previously understood"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "than was "previously understood"" is more formal and often preferred in academic writing. "Than "previously understood"" is more concise and common in general writing.

What is the difference between "previously understood" and "misunderstood"?

"Previously understood" means something was believed to be true but is now known to be different, while "misunderstood" means something was incorrectly understood from the beginning. The first implies a change in knowledge, the second an initial error.