but not previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not previously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not happened before a certain point in time or context. Example: "I have visited Paris many times, but not previously in the winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After hibernation, U. beldingi recognize their littermates but not previously familiar nonkin.

Animal Behaviour

Pathogenic gene fusions have been identified in several histologic types of salivary gland neoplasia, but not previously in acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC).

Stanford University

For Mr. Braunfels, 52, born of a prominent Munich family but not previously well known, the building is his first major project and a triumph.

The New York Times - Arts

Lurking in the background but not previously viewed as a potential deal-breaker, the steroid issue came into clearer focus yesterday, and the picture it presented wasn't pretty.

The New York Times - Sports

The reports described horrific scenes in a city that has suffered most from recent violence, but not previously experienced a bombardment on this scale.

The Guardian

The collection will also include Bennett's radio play Denmark Hill, set in suburban south London, which has been performed but not previously published.

The Guardian - Books

The finds are typical of the personal treasures for use in the afterlife found in Scotland, Ireland and mainland Europe but not previously in England.

The Guardian

Some government ethics lawyers say those conversations — never hidden, but not previously reported — create the appearance of a potential conflict of interest.

The New York Times

His visit had been rumored but not previously announced, signaling concerns about security as the fighting between opposition fighters and the government intensified in the capital.

The New York Times

A thorough examination of the ability of a simplified technique currently permitted by EC3, but not previously fully validated to provide acceptable solutions with significantly reduced computational effort is reported.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

In addition to finding that movie attendance is counter-cyclical, an expected but not previously documented result, we also show, contrary to popular belief, that critics' ratings have larger impact during economic downturns than during periods of economic expansion.

International Journal of Research in Marketing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not previously" to clearly indicate that a particular event, discovery, or condition is novel or has not been documented before. This is especially useful in academic and scientific writing where establishing originality is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "but not previously" in conjunction with other redundant phrases that already imply a lack of prior occurrence. For instance, avoid writing "a new innovation but not previously seen before"; instead, use either "a new innovation" or "but not previously seen before" to maintain conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not previously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something has not occurred or been done before a certain point in time. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly used to introduce a novel aspect or a first-time occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

37%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not previously" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the novelty or originality of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and ensure it clearly indicates the lack of prior occurrence. Consider alternatives like "however not before" or "yet not earlier" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but now for the first time

Highlights the novelty of the situation, explicitly stating it's the first time it's happening.

however not before

Replaces "previously" with "before", focusing on the temporal aspect of the lack of prior occurrence.

yet not earlier

Emphasizes that something did not happen sooner.

though not heretofore

Uses the more formal word "heretofore" instead of "previously".

although not until now

Highlights that something is only happening at the present time.

however only recently

Suggests the event is novel by only happening in the immediate past.

nonetheless not in the past

Directly contrasts the current situation with the past.

even so never before

Emphasizes the lack of prior occurrence despite other circumstances.

not in prior instances

Uses more formal language to convey that the action did not happen in earlier situations.

still not formerly

Replaces "previously" with "formerly", indicating something that was not the case in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "but not previously" in a sentence?

You can use "but not previously" to indicate that something is happening for the first time or has not been done before. For example, "This method has been tested, "but not previously" used on an actual spill."

What are some alternatives to "but not previously"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "however not before", "yet not earlier", or "though not heretofore", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "but not previously reported"?

Yes, it is correct. "But not previously reported" is often used in academic and journalistic writing to indicate that something is newly discovered or revealed. For example, "Some government ethics lawyers say those conversations — never hidden, "but not previously reported" — create the appearance of a potential conflict of interest."

What is the difference between "but not previously" and "but not before"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of prior occurrence, but "but not before" tends to emphasize the temporal aspect more directly. "But not previously" is slightly more formal and versatile, suitable for a broader range of contexts.