a previously unknown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previously unknown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has just been discovered or that was unknown until just now. For example, "After many years of research, scientists have finally discovered a previously unknown species of butterfly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A previously unknown note".

The New Yorker

Archeologists unearth evidence of a previously unknown ancient language.

The New Yorker

A previously unknown person thus became a celebrity patient.

The New York Times - Health

Alternatively the hairs could belong to a previously unknown species.

Independent

In 1702 Kirch discovered a previously unknown comet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

scientists strongly suspect it is caused by a previously unknown member of the coronavirus family.

The New York Times

The chief suspect is a previously unknown coronavirus, but that has not been confirmed.

The New York Times

Perhaps he will reveal a previously unknown talent as a human beatbox.

The Guardian - Opinion

A previously unknown group claimed responsibility, though that claim could not be confirmed.

The New York Times

Researchers may have found a previously unknown photograph of Emily Dickinson.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cirque created what the authors call a blue ocean--a previously unknown market space.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a previously unknown", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was unknown to and why its discovery or recognition is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a previously unknown" in contexts where the fact that something was unknown is already implied. For example, don't say "a previously unknown new discovery"; simply state "a new discovery."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previously unknown" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that precedes a noun to describe something that was not known or recognized before. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a previously unknown" serves as an adjectival modifier used to describe something that was not known before, often highlighting the novelty or recent discovery of a subject. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject was unknown to and the significance of its discovery. Avoid redundancies such as "a previously unknown new discovery". Consider contextually appropriate alternatives like "an undiscovered" or "a newly discovered" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a newly discovered

Emphasizes the recentness of the discovery.

an undiscovered

Focuses on the state of not being found or known, eliminating the timing aspect.

a hitherto unrecognized

Highlights that it wasn't acknowledged or realized until now, more formal.

an unrevealed

Stresses the aspect of not being disclosed or made public.

a groundbreaking

Focuses on the innovative and impactful nature of the discovery.

a novel

Highlights the newness and originality of something.

a fresh

Emphasizes the newness and untouched quality.

a concealed

Emphasizes that something was hidden.

a long-lost

Suggests something was known in the past but has been forgotten or missing.

a secret

Indicates something kept from general knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "a previously unknown" to describe something that has recently been discovered or recognized. For example, "Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of beetle in the Amazon rainforest."

What are some alternatives to "a previously unknown"?

You can use alternatives like "an undiscovered", "a newly discovered", or "a hitherto unrecognized" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a previously unknown new [thing]"?

Yes, saying "a previously unknown new [thing]" can be redundant. It's generally better to simply state "a new [thing]" since the "new" already implies it wasn't known before.

What is the difference between "a previously unknown" and "a secret"?

"A previously unknown" simply means something was not known before, while "a secret" implies that something was intentionally hidden. They are not always interchangeable.