as understood previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as understood previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a prior understanding or interpretation of a concept or statement. Example: "The terms of the agreement remain the same as understood previously, ensuring that all parties are on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was recognition that aid coordination is not merely a fund raising and reporting task as understood previously, but a strategic function to coordinate, channel and oversee external resources to implement MoH objectives.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We found that police shoot twice as many people as previously understood, but in some departments shootings are on the decline in recent years.

Vice

To summarize: Bobbitt believes that there is a real war against terror; that civil liberties as previously understood may need to be curtailed to win it; that we must nevertheless fight it without violating our commitment to the rule of law; and that the United States cannot win it alone.

The New York Times - Books

If the Bible is wrong about our origins, for example, then it cannot be the word of God as previously understood and, therefore, may be wrong about everything else, becoming merely a collection of myths and fables without authority on spiritual matters.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that HCMV-specific immune responses are not restricted to gB, pp65 and IE-1 antigens as previously understood, but are directed towards more than 70% of the HCMV reading frames [12], [13], [14], [15].

Plosone

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

The Guardian

Histoire repudiates both orchestra and opera as previously understood: it is specifically (and inexpensively) designed for performance on a portable stage by three dancers, a narrator, and seven instrumentalists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Together, these processes shifted the female domestic and male public spheres as previously understood.

Pastoralism

The names previously understood as referring to tribes can continue to be used, however, as convenient shorthand as long as it is realized that they do not all represent equivalent categories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Explaining that officials had not, as also previously understood, seized the suspect's passport, Mr Paulson said that Zehaf-Bibeau had in fact recently applied for one.

Independent

Climate change is already making it hard to know whether events previously understood as "acts of God" (a freak heat wave in March or a Frankenstorm on Halloween) still belong in that category.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as understood previously" to clearly signal a shift in understanding or to contrast a current perspective with a former one.

Common error

Avoid using "as understood previously" if there's a chance your audience isn't familiar with the prior understanding. Briefly summarize the previous understanding to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as understood previously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the state of understanding at a prior time. Ludwig AI showcases how this phrase introduces a contrast between prior knowledge and current insights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as understood previously" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to refer back to a prior understanding. As Ludwig AI highlights, its primary function is to contrast past knowledge with a current perspective, clarifying shifts in understanding. While generally neutral in register, the phrase appears frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the prior understanding is clear to your audience to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "as previously known" or "as formerly understood" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as previously known

Focuses on the prior knowledge of something, emphasizing that it was already established.

as formerly understood

Highlights that the understanding has shifted from a past state.

as earlier understood

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the previous understanding.

as once understood

Indicates a past understanding that may no longer be current.

as traditionally understood

Specifies that the understanding is based on tradition or long-held beliefs.

as conventionally understood

Indicates a generally accepted or common understanding.

as previously conceived

Focuses on the prior mental image or concept.

as initially understood

Highlights that this was the first way something was understood and may have changed.

as it was understood before

Directly contrasts a past understanding with a current one.

according to prior understanding

Formal phrasing that indicates the information is based on a previous comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "as understood previously" to contrast a past understanding with a new one, as in: "The scope of the project is larger than "as understood previously", requiring additional resources."

What's the difference between "as understood previously" and "as previously stated"?

"As understood previously" refers to a prior comprehension of something, while "as previously stated" refers to something that was said before. The former concerns understanding, the latter concerns expression.

What can I say instead of "as understood previously"?

You can use alternatives like "as previously known", "as formerly understood", or "as earlier understood" depending on the context.

Is "as understood previously" formal or informal?

The phrase "as understood previously" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in professional, academic, and news contexts.