but previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast or a change from a prior situation or condition. Example: "The project was initially scheduled for completion in June, but previously, it had been set for April."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But previously, I'd only seen photos, reproductions.

The Guardian

Labor opposes the link, but previously said it would honour contracts signed before the election.

The Guardian

Professor Clive Seale is now retired but previously taught at Goldsmiths, Queen Mary, and Brunel University.

The Guardian - Money

But previously you worked in banking, where there is a very different culture.

The Guardian

But previously he had met Heidy Garcia Rios, a 21-year-old dancer, while in Cuba.

Independent

But previously it would have nothing to do with open source at all.

The Economist

But previously well-credentialed hipster enclaves are now "Brooklynizing" as well.

The New York Times

All sorts of arms have blossomed, some young, some slightly older, some more experienced but previously unsuccessful.

The New York Times - Sports

But previously there wasn't a good way for local stakeholders to communicate with architects: they didn't speak the same language.

The Guardian - Tech

New Parks, New Revenue But previously successful teams have hit some hard times in their new parks.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a type of intelligence common on the Web, but previously foreign to the world of books.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but previously" to smoothly transition between contrasting states or actions that occurred at different times. It provides a clear chronological connection.

Common error

Avoid using "but previously" merely as a replacement for "but". Ensure it introduces a distinct temporal element, highlighting a change over time rather than just a contrast of ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but previously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a change from a past state. It connects two contrasting situations while specifying that the second situation occurred at an earlier time. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples from various sources confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but previously" serves as an effective tool for introducing contrasts that involve a change over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. To use it effectively, remember to highlight both the contrast and the temporal shift. Alternatives like "however, before" or "in contrast, formerly" can be used for similar effect. Make sure to not fall in the trap of using it instead of a simple conjunction like "but".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, before

Emphasizes the contrast between a prior state and the current one using "however" and specifies a time relation using "before".

yet, prior to that

"Yet" introduces a contrast, while "prior to that" explicitly indicates a temporal sequence.

on the other hand, earlier

"On the other hand" highlights a contrasting perspective and "earlier" indicates something happened at an anterior moment in time.

conversely, in the past

"Conversely" suggests an opposite situation, and "in the past" refers to a former time.

in contrast, formerly

"In contrast" directly opposes two situations, and "formerly" specifies a previous state.

instead, beforehand

"Instead" introduces an alternative, while "beforehand" indicates an action done in advance.

as opposed to before

Highlights difference by contrasting current status against before.

whereas, up until then

"Whereas" introduces a comparison/contrast and "up until then" defines temporal boundary.

by contrast, until then

"By contrast" shows a difference, and "until then" sets a time limit.

different from what came before

Expresses divergence and temporal sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "but previously" in a sentence?

Use "but previously" to introduce a contrast by indicating what was happening or true before a certain point. For example: "The project was on hold, "but previously" it had been progressing rapidly".

What are some alternatives to "but previously"?

You can use alternatives like "however before", "yet prior to that", or "in contrast formerly" to express a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "but" and "previously" together?

While "but" introduces a contrast, "previously" specifies that the contrast is related to a change over time. The combination is not necessarily redundant, as it clarifies the temporal aspect of the contrast.

What's the difference between "but previously" and "however"?

"However" introduces a general contrast, while "but previously" introduces a contrast and explicitly indicates that the situation was different at an earlier time. The phrase "but previously" is more specific about the temporal context.