alluded to before

USAGE SUMMARY

"alluded to before" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means that something has been mentioned or referred to previously. Example: The speaker alluded to the importance of education before, but now he will delve deeper into the topic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Like I alluded to before, I have a maid service company in Jacksonville and just about everyone I talk to feels that the Federal government is so out of touch and is just trying to build and protect its nest.

University of California, Berkeley

Ireland, for example, has incredibly restrictive abortion laws, a hangover from the days when it was the last outpost of the Vatican in Europe (a situation I've alluded to before).

The Guardian

"Was it an earlier draft of Watchman, or of Mockingbird?" she writes, "or even, as early correspondence indicates it might be, a third book bridging the two?" The possibility of Lee having completed a third novel has been alluded to before, with some sources claiming the third manuscript was a draft of Atticus, the original name given to To Kill A Mockingbird.

Independent

As I alluded to before, not every decision can be made from the top.

Forbes

As I alluded to before, another app making the jump from iOS to OS X is Game Center.

TechCrunch

While both points have been implicitly alluded to before, this is to the information of the authors the first study that explores both points on a comprehensive basis.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For one thing, there's the creativity piece that I was alluding to before.

Harvard Business Review

It's not just the emotional truth you're going for, and Misha alluded to this before, it's the character.

Huffington Post

Surely America has contributed something to the world other than Bing Crosby and "Jingle Bells," two anodyne products alluded to briefly before the litany of horrors begins.

The New York Times

Though Carter had alluded to opera before - he once likened the interaction of the musical personalities in his Second String Quartet to the interplay of The Marriage of Figaro - no one really thought that he would ever get around to writing one, and still less could imagine what it would be like.

The Guardian

Mr. Amato's margin of victory was not as narrow as most had predicted, and he alluded to that uncertainty before the vote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alluded to before" to subtly remind your audience of a previous point without repeating it in detail.

Common error

Avoid relying on "alluded to before" excessively, as it can create confusion if the original reference is unclear or too distant in the text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alluded to before" acts as an adverbial modifier, indicating that a particular topic or idea has been previously hinted at or referenced but not fully explained. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct. The primary function is to remind the reader or listener of a prior, indirect mention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alluded to before" is a grammatically correct phrase used to refer back to an idea or topic that was previously mentioned in an indirect way. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is commonly used in news, scientific, and academic writing. While not overly formal, it maintains a level of sophistication. When employing this phrase, ensure that the original reference is clear to your audience to avoid confusion. Related alternatives include "previously referenced" or "mentioned earlier".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I mentioned before

Highlights that the topic was already mentioned by the author

mentioned earlier

Uses a simpler and more common term, focusing on the timing of the mention.

referred to previously

Similar to "previously referenced", but with a different emphasis.

previously referenced

Replaces "alluded to" with a more direct term, indicating explicit mention.

previously addressed

Highlights that the topic was dealt with or discussed in the past.

touched upon before

Indicates a brief or light mention in the past.

already indicated

Focuses on the fact that something was pointed out in the past.

hinted at earlier

Implies a subtle or indirect suggestion in a prior instance.

subject of prior discussion

Highlights that the topic was already discussed in the past

as previously stated

Emphasizes a formal declaration or statement made at an earlier time.

FAQs

How can I use "alluded to before" in a sentence?

You can use "alluded to before" to refer back to a topic that has been previously mentioned, such as, "As "mentioned before", this concept is crucial to understanding the broader context."

What's a good alternative to "alluded to before"?

Alternatives include "previously mentioned", "referred to earlier", or "already indicated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "alluded to before" formal or informal?

The phrase "alluded to before" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing. However, in very informal settings, simpler phrases like "mentioned earlier" might be preferred.

How does "alluded to before" differ from "mentioned earlier"?

"Alluded to before" implies a subtle or indirect reference, whereas "mentioned earlier" indicates a more direct and explicit reference. Choose the phrase that best reflects the way the information was originally presented.