as I explained earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'as I explained earlier' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to reference something that was previously stated, either by you or by someone else. For example, "I've already presented my proposal, as I explained earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As I explained earlier, a work necessarily includes the medium.

Harvard University

5.01pm: As I explained earlier, I missed the David Cameron event.

The Guardian

As I explained earlier, the outcome of this case depends entirely on the determination of the question of infringement.

Harvard University

As I explained earlier, I used your zip file found in hot tips area of neuron forum named extracellular_stim_and_rec.

Yale University

As I explained earlier, small traditional shops usually only serve one type of dish, as evidenced in What in God's Name is That?

The New York Times

As I explained earlier, the Sun appears at one focus ony because it is so much more massive than any of the planets and so its center lies close to the focus (which is the actual location of the center of mass).

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As I explained earlier this week, questions related to any impact of human-driven global warming on tornadoes, while important, have almost no bearing on the challenge of reducing human vulnerability to these killer storms.

The New York Times

He did far worse when he was Gore's running mate, as I explained two years ago.

The New Yorker

With part of my mind, I agree, as I explained last week.

The Guardian

As I explained last week, I recently decided to use profit-sharing to reward my people for changing our ways on the shop floor.

The New York Times

As I explained last year, scientific research on the reef suggests that it is already in danger from human-caused climate change and ocean acidification.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I explained earlier" to smoothly transition back to a point you've already covered, avoiding unnecessary repetition and maintaining flow in your writing or speech.

Common error

Avoid using "as I explained earlier" too frequently, as it can come across as condescending or suggest that your audience wasn't paying attention. Consider alternative phrasing or simply reintroducing the information concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I explained earlier" functions as a transitional phrase or discourse marker. It's used to connect a current statement to a previous explanation, ensuring clarity and coherence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and serves to guide the listener or reader back to a prior point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as I explained earlier" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for referencing previous statements in both written and spoken English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts, ranging from academia and news media to more informal settings. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive or condescending. Alternatives such as "as I previously mentioned" or "as stated before" can provide variety and nuance to your writing or speech. The phrase's frequency is considered uncommon, so be mindful of overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I previously mentioned

Replaces "explained earlier" with "previously mentioned", emphasizing the act of mentioning rather than explaining.

as I stated before

Substitutes "explained earlier" with "stated before", focusing on a formal declaration.

as I have already clarified

Uses "clarified" instead of "explained", highlighting the act of making something clear and easy to understand.

to reiterate what I said earlier

Introduces the concept of reiteration, making it suitable for emphasizing a previous point.

returning to my earlier point

Shifts the focus to revisiting a previous point, suitable when resuming a discussion.

as previously discussed

Emphasizes that the topic was talked about before, suitable for conversations and meetings.

as detailed above

Refers to a detailed explanation given earlier, usually in written form.

referring back to my earlier explanation

Highlights the act of referring back to a prior explanation.

as I've outlined previously

Replaces "explained" with "outlined", emphasizing a structured presentation of information.

in case you recall my previous explanation

Adds a condition of recall, useful when unsure if the audience remembers the previous explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "as I explained earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "as I explained earlier" to refer back to information you have already provided, such as, "The budget was allocated /s/as+I+explained+earlier for marketing and development."

What are some alternatives to "as I explained earlier"?

You can use alternatives like "as I previously mentioned", "as I stated before", or "as previously discussed" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "as I explained earlier" in formal writing?

Yes, "as I explained earlier" is acceptable in formal writing. However, ensure the context is appropriate and it doesn't come across as repetitive or condescending. Consider more formal alternatives if needed.

Can I use "as I explained earlier" if someone else explained it, not me?

No, the phrase "as I explained earlier" is used to refer to your own prior explanation. If someone else explained it, you could say "as [name] explained earlier" or "as was explained earlier".