far previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far previously" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to many readers.
It could be used to emphasize a significant time difference in a more poetic or literary context, but it is generally better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The event took place far previously, long before anyone could remember."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The story so far: previously impregnable political Death Star Theresa May has been revealed to be a weepy schoolgirl crying in the airing cupboard about her poor GCSE results.

Vice

We have measured B cell numbers and memory B cells numbers and relative percentages in adults in Blantyre, Malawi to see how far previously described HIV-associated abnormalities are present in our population of adults and how these abnormalities are changed after anti-retroviral therapy.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The TBEV species includes 3 subtypes, Far Eastern (previously RSSE), Siberian (previously West-Siberian), and Western European (previously Central European encephalitis [CEE]) viruses.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Britons identified in the documents so far had previously been revealed to the public and are dead, killed in US-led strikes, or their whereabouts unknown.

The Guardian

But attention, inevitably, was focused on the film's sex scenes, which have far outdone previously benchmark art films such as Catherine Breillat's Romance, Michael Winterbottom's Nine Songs and Von Trier's own The Idiots, all of which contain hardcore sequences.

The Guardian - Film

This analytical study reveals that lateral pre-stretch enhances actuation, far exceeding previously reported actuation strokes.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

In conclusion, the prevalence of RHD among children and adults in this economically disadvantaged population far exceeds previously predicted rates.

The American Journal of Cardiology

Fig. 2 For equally confident instances prefer those that are far from previously explored regions in instance space.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The paper says the NSA's use of facial recognition technology goes far beyond previously detailed efforts.

TechCrunch

So far, the previously reported results related to the influence of occupational contact with children on HCMV prevalence rates were contrary to our observations [ 21, 37– 40].

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Three of these 10 QTL were mapped far from previously identified Pst resistance genes and QTL, and likely represent new resistance loci.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and readily understood alternatives such as "long ago" or "much earlier" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "far previously" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted and unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a long time ago" or "much earlier" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far previously" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when an action or state occurred relative to another point in time. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase isn't common, and more familiar alternatives often serve the same purpose more effectively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far previously" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate something occurred a significant time ago. However, as Ludwig highlights, its usage is rare and can sound awkward. More common and natural alternatives, such as "long ago" or "much earlier", are generally preferred for clarity and style. While it may appear in formal or scientific writing, it's best to avoid it in casual conversation or informal contexts. When considering the phrase, ensure that the emphasis on temporal distance warrants its use over more conventional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long ago

This alternative is a common and simple way to indicate a time in the distant past.

a long time ago

This alternative is a straightforward and widely understood way to express a time far in the past.

much earlier

This alternative emphasizes a significant difference in time between two points.

in the distant past

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the remoteness of the time period.

years ago

This alternative specifies a non-specific number of years in the past, indicating a significant duration.

way back when

This alternative is more informal and colloquial, suggesting a nostalgic or distant past.

in earlier times

This alternative is more formal and focuses on a general period in the past.

in bygone days

This alternative evokes a sense of nostalgia and a past that is significantly different from the present.

formerly

This indicates a state or condition that existed at an earlier time, but does not emphasize a long time span.

a while back

This is a more casual way to indicate something happened in the past without emphasizing how long ago.

FAQs

What does "far previously" mean?

The phrase "far previously" means a point in time considerably before the present. However, it's not a very common expression; alternatives like "long ago" or "much earlier" are more frequently used.

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

While grammatically correct, "far previously" is not commonly used. A sentence example could be: "The techniques used were developed far previously." Consider using a more common phrase like "a long time ago" instead.

What are some alternatives to "far previously"?

Some alternatives to "far previously" include "long ago", "much earlier", "a long time ago", or "in the distant past". These options are generally more natural and widely understood.

Is it correct to say "far previously"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it sounds somewhat awkward and is not a common phrase. Most native English speakers would opt for a more natural alternative like "much earlier" or "long ago".