but previously that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but previously that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that happened before a certain point, but the structure is awkward and unclear. Example: "I wanted to discuss the results of the experiment, but previously that was not the focus of our meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On drugs I can make four metres of carpet in 40 days, but previously that might take me six months.

Independent

But a surprising portion of what passes for modern technology can be traced back to this site, the home of Bell Laboratories, now the research arm of Lucent, but previously that of AT&T, a big American telecoms firm.

The Economist

You can do that with the Garmin too, but previously that meant leaving your music behind.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The exact function of none of these ncRNAs is known, but we noticed previously that ncl1600 (NC-181) is the top most-induced ncRNA under iron limitation [ 15].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

The company declines to share its revenue figures, but sources told TechCrunch previously that thredUp was on track for a $100 million revenue run rate in 2016.

TechCrunch

"But previously, anything that has been done in terms of disengagement and reintegration of people, there haven't really been any examples of anything that can truly say it has stopped someone from not engaging in that sort of behaviour.

The Guardian

Previously, that market didn't exist.

Forbes

This study has characterised, for the first time, a recognised but previously unreported phenomenon that occurs in extreme winter climbers.

Sports Medicine - Open

This study has characterised, for the first time, a well recognised but previously unreported phenomenon that occurs in extreme winter climbers, with alarming frequency.

Sports Medicine - Open

This has revealed the presence of dozens of major, but previously undiscovered, lineages that have no cultured members [5].

Plosone

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District's modus operandi is even more bizarre when one considers the following: The Pilot reported that this is a done deal but previously reported that the project engineering and design have yet to be done.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, consider replacing "but previously that" with more direct alternatives like "but before that" or "previously". This enhances readability.

Common error

Avoid using "but previously that" in formal writing. Simpler constructions such as "but before that" or "previously" provide clearer and more concise alternatives. In many cases the word "that" is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but previously that" functions as a transitional phrase, aiming to contrast a current state with a prior one. However, its structure is considered grammatically weak, as noted by Ludwig AI, making it less effective in conveying its intended meaning compared to simpler alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "but previously that" appears across various sources, it's not considered grammatically strong. Ludwig AI indicates it lacks clarity compared to alternatives. Its function is to contrast a current state with a prior one, but its awkward construction makes it less effective. Occurring rarely, it's found in news, science, and business contexts. For enhanced clarity and precision, especially in formal writing, simpler alternatives like "but before that" or "previously" are preferable. Avoid using it in formal writing to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but before that

Emphasizes a temporal sequence, placing the previous event directly before the current one.

but formerly that

Uses a more formal term ('formerly') to indicate a prior condition or state.

but earlier than that

Highlights a point in time preceding the current situation, adding specificity.

but prior to that

Emphasizes the preceding nature of the other event, useful in formal contexts.

but preceding that

Similar to 'prior to that' but with a slightly more literary or formal tone.

but until then

Focuses on the period leading up to the current moment, suggesting a change.

but in the past that

Clearly indicates a contrast with something that happened at an unspecified time ago.

but up to that point

Highlights a progression or culmination leading to the present situation.

but previously to that

Adds 'to' for grammatical correctness, slightly altering the original structure.

however, that previously

Switches the conjunction to 'however' and reorders the phrase for a different emphasis.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "but previously that"?

You can use alternatives like "but before that", "previously", or "earlier" depending on the context.

Is "but previously that" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "but previously that" is not considered grammatically ideal. Simpler phrases like "but before that" are preferred.

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

Use "previously" to indicate something that occurred at an earlier time. For instance, "The area was "previously" a forest, but now it's a city."

What's the difference between "but previously that" and "but before that"?

"But before that" is more direct and commonly used. "But previously that" can sound awkward, and is better replaced for a more natural sentence structure. Consider using only "previously" as well.