earlier on

USAGE SUMMARY

'earlier on' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a time that has already passed. For example: We talked about this issue earlier on, so I'm surprised it's come up again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was one of the closest sights earlier on.

Vice

Flywieight Marlen Esparza won earlier on Monday.

The New York Times

Reuters reported the move earlier on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Google charged into the black earlier on.

The New York Times

Earlier, on the trail, they'd seen it.

The New Yorker

The justice minister quit earlier on Friday.

The New York Times

Earlier on, he considered leaving the business more than once.

The New York Times

Earlier on Wednesday, Asian stock markets closed down moderately.

The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Mr. Meissner's appointment.

The New York Times

thanks, mark Fortune's Dan Primack reported earlier on the memo.

The New York Times

He canceled two events earlier on the schedule for Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maximize clarity, particularly in formal writing, consider pairing "earlier on" with a specific time reference. For example, "Earlier on Tuesday..."

Common error

While "earlier on" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise alternatives such as "previously" or "at an earlier time" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier on" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a time in the past. Ludwig's examples show its flexibility in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "earlier on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a time in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, it fits seamlessly into diverse contexts, though its informality suggests a sparing use in formal writing. Common within news and media sources, it helps establish temporal relationships within narratives. While alternatives such as "previously" or "at an earlier time" exist, "earlier on" serves as a versatile tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to this

More formal and precise, often used in academic or technical writing.

at an earlier time

More descriptive and emphasizes the temporal difference explicitly.

previously

This term offers a more concise alternative, suitable for formal contexts where brevity is preferred.

formerly

Indicates a past state or condition that is no longer true.

beforehand

Implies preparation or planning that occurred prior to the event in question.

in the past

A general phrase indicating a time before the present, less specific than "earlier on".

at the beginning

Focuses specifically on the initial phase or starting point of an event or period.

in previous times

Similar to "in the past" but may imply a series of past events.

in days gone by

Suggests a nostalgic or historical context, less direct than "earlier on".

antecedently

A highly formal and somewhat archaic term for preceding in time.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier on" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier on" to refer to a time in the past. For example, "We discussed this "previously", but it's worth revisiting."

What are some alternatives to "earlier on"?

Some alternatives to "earlier on" include "previously", "beforehand", or "at an earlier time".

Is "earlier on" considered formal or informal?

"Earlier on" leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider using "prior to this" or "formerly".

What's the difference between "earlier" and "earlier on"?

"Earlier" typically stands alone, while "earlier on" adds a bit more emphasis on a specific point in the past. They are often interchangeable, but "earlier on" can provide a more conversational tone.