encountered previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountered previously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been met or experienced before in a particular context. Example: "The issues we encountered previously have been addressed in this new proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In their journey they encountered previously unchronicled – and now forgotten – tribes and wonders.

The Guardian - Film

The Lempel-Ziv algorithm works by constructing a codebook out of sequences encountered previously.

Britannica

This professor is rather different from the one the journalist encountered previously.

The Guardian

Encountered previously in a memorable Miller Theater event, the seductive work was still more alluring on renewed acquaintance.

The New York Times - Arts

Google says it could examine how the height of the potential cyclist compares with the average height of cyclists it has encountered previously.

The Washington Post

This type of clinical work was far more challenging than anything I had encountered previously.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Thus, B. terrestris would need to visit fewer flowers per trip to collect sufficient pollen and nectar as it would encounter previously unvisited flowers more frequently than bees in the summer.

Plosone

For this strategy to be valid, a careful control of crop rotation will be required to ensure that bee friendly crops do not encounter previously applied neonicotinoids.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

The McDonald's Corporation itself, however, recently encountered the previously unimaginable: a quarterly loss.

The New York Times

In addition to finding Pfiesteria, the scientists encountered two previously unknown varieties of algae that could kill bay creatures.

The New York Times

The latest came last summer, when Voyager 1 encountered a previously unknown phenomenon now dubbed the "magnetic highway".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encountered previously" to clearly indicate that something has been experienced or met before, adding context and depth to your writing. Consider alternatives if you want to emphasize a specific aspect, such as visual recognition or challenge.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "encountered previously" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "experienced before" or "previously met" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountered previously" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying that the action of encountering has happened at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is valid, showing examples in news, science and general writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encountered previously" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating prior experience, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it's frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts. It's a neutral term but it helps to specify that something has been experienced or met before and it's not completely new. Remember to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "experienced before" or "previously met" to vary your writing. The examples provided by Ludwig, alongside the insights from this analysis, should equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how to use "encountered previously" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced before

Focuses specifically on the act of having undergone something prior.

previously met

Highlights the act of meeting someone or something in the past.

previously undergone

Similar to "experienced before", but with a more formal tone.

seen before

Emphasizes visual recognition from a prior occurrence.

met with before

Similar to "previously met", but emphasizes the interaction aspect.

faced before

Suggests a challenge or difficulty that was dealt with in the past.

previously known

Emphasizes that the information was already in one's knowledge.

known beforehand

Implies prior knowledge or awareness of something.

familiar from the past

Highlights a sense of recognition and knowledge derived from past experiences.

had experience with

Highlights the aspect of gaining familiarity through practical involvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "encountered previously" to describe something you have experienced or met before. For example: "The issues we "encountered previously" have been addressed in this new proposal."

What can I say instead of "encountered previously"?

You can use alternatives like "experienced before", "previously met", or "seen before" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "encountered previously" or "previously encountered"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable, but "previously encountered" might sound slightly more natural in some contexts. The best choice depends on the flow and emphasis you want to achieve in your sentence.

What's the difference between "encountered previously" and "newly encountered"?

"Encountered previously" refers to something that has been met or experienced before, while "newly encountered" refers to something that is being met or experienced for the first time. They are antonyms.