as it previously existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it previously existed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a state or condition that was in place before a change or modification occurred. Example: "The document will be restored as it previously existed before the edits were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Popcorn Time project as it previously existed is gone.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The whole civil service system as it had previously existed was overthrown along with the dynasty in 1911/12.

Britannica

Americans and Western Europeans who embraced modernism rejected not only traditional architectural forms and shapes but the city as it had previously existed.

The New Yorker

He did not (as is commonly believed) revive the Order of the Bath, since it had never previously existed as an Order, in the sense of a body of knights who were governed by a set of statutes and whose numbers were replenished when vacancies occurred.

Wikipedia

Clients should try to pick the same node id for nodes that are likely to be the same as a node that previously existed.

Visualization in Engineering

As BHRC highlights in our letter, insofar as any doubts may have previously existed regarding Palestine's status, those have since been resolved by the United Nations general assembly when it granted Palestine observer-state status.

The Guardian

The anthology also includes three poems by the American nurse Mary Borden which have only previously existed as handwritten drafts.

The Guardian - Books

Though The Graduates had previously existed as a radio program, she retooled the interview format and concept, and brought the show back in April 2014.

University of California, Berkeley

Although Mr. Gunn said his administration would most likely be best remembered for cleaning up graffiti, he said he considered the creation of an accountable decentralized management, "where none had previously existed" as the achievement from which all subsequent successes emerged.

The New York Times

Waymo, which previously existed as Google's Self-Driving Car project, also recently took a number of steps towards making its primarily research-focused organization more of a potential revenue center.

TechCrunch

One section of the modern highway added to M-72 in 1940 previously existed as M-208 in the 1930s east of Grayling.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it previously existed" to clearly indicate a return or reference to a specific past state, particularly when contrasting it with a current condition.

Common error

Avoid using "as it previously existed" when simply describing a past state without a direct comparison to the present. Instead, opt for phrases like "formerly" or "in the past" if a comparison isn't the intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it previously existed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the state or condition of something at a prior time. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it previously existed" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to reference a past state or condition. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media, but it's also prevalent in science, encyclopedias, and academic writings. It serves to provide context and emphasize changes or returns to former states. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, it’s important to use it when a direct comparison to the present is intended to prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As it existed before

Directly states the existence prior to a specific point.

As it formerly was

Replaces 'previously' with 'formerly', emphasizing a past state.

In its prior state

Emphasizes the condition something was in before a change.

In its earlier form

Highlights a prior version or configuration.

In its original form

Focuses on the initial state or structure of something.

As it used to be

Indicates a habitual or customary state in the past.

As it was initially

Emphasizes the starting point or original state.

As it once stood

Highlights the past existence and potential cessation of something.

The way it was

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize a return to a past condition.

In its previous incarnation

Suitable when referring to versions or iterations of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as it previously existed" in a sentence?

Use "as it previously existed" to describe a situation, object, or system returning to a former state. For instance, "The document will be restored "as it previously existed" before the edits were made".

What phrases are similar to "as it previously existed"?

Alternatives include "in its original form", "as it formerly was", or "in its prior state", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as it previously existed" formal or informal?

The phrase "as it previously existed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What’s the difference between "as it previously existed" and "as it used to be"?

"As it previously existed" is more formal and refers to a specific prior condition, while "as it used to be" implies a habitual or customary state in the past. The former is better for technical descriptions, and the latter for general recollections.