filled earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was completed or occupied at a previous time. Example: "The form was filled earlier, so we don't need to do it again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Schmidt, who spent much of 2000 on the disabled list before undergoing right shoulder surgery last August, will join Shawn Estes, Kirk Rueter, Livan Hernández and Russ Ortiz in the Giants' rotation, taking the spot filled earlier by Mark Gardner and more recently by the rookie Ryan Jensen.

The New York Times - Sports

The reason for the late additions to Wayra U.K.'s third intake is that the Academy has space for 20 startups — and with only 13 slots filled earlier in the year, places remained.

TechCrunch

That role was filled earlier on Tuesday by Amanda Plummer.

Huffington Post

Actually it should be filled earlier, what we are doing is wrong but occasionally some director or someone will come and ask about it, we have to show them that we are filling it, so we are implementing it this way here.

BMJ Open

(Head nurse) Actually it should be filled earlier, what we are doing is wrong but occasionally some director or someone will come and ask about it, we have to show them that we are filling it, so we are implementing it this way here.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Twenty-three of the 33 starting positions were filled today.

The New York Times - Sports

It's filled 75/25 duck down, and comes in ivory and pale pink.

Independent

After the vacancies were finally filled this year, the Fed took further action.

The New York Times

Every hole filled today was counted as a cut six months ago.

The New York Times

Two of the current eight coaching vacancies were filled today by Brown and Silas.

The New York Times - Sports

The other five roster spots will be filled next year, perhaps in March.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "filled earlier", ensure the context clearly establishes what timeframe "earlier" refers to. Providing a specific reference point will improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "filled earlier" without a clear reference to when 'earlier' actually was. For instance, instead of saying "the position was filled earlier", specify "the position was filled earlier this year" or "filled earlier than expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled earlier" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when the action of filling occurred. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable. The examples show it modifying a verb within a sentence, specifying a temporal aspect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "filled earlier" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to indicate that something was completed or occupied at a previous time. Though categorized by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct and usable, its frequency is relatively low. It finds its primary contexts in news and scientific media, and its alternatives include "previously filled" and "already filled". When using this phrase, clarity about the temporal reference is key to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously filled

This alternative directly replaces "earlier" with "previously", maintaining the same core meaning with a slight shift in emphasis.

previously occupied

Mirrors "occupied previously", providing a clear alternative with a slightly different word order.

already filled

Using "already" emphasizes that the action of filling occurred before the current moment or situation.

filled beforehand

"Beforehand" specifies that the filling action happened in preparation or anticipation of something else.

formerly occupied

Similar to 'previously occupied' but 'formerly' can imply a longer duration or a more significant change in status.

completed prior

This is a more formal way of saying "filled earlier", using "completed" instead of "filled" and "prior" instead of "earlier".

occupied previously

Switches from "filled" to "occupied", suitable when referring to spaces or positions.

taken up before

Similar to 'occupied previously' but uses the phrasal verb 'taken up' offering a less formal tone.

filled in advance

"In advance" highlights the proactive nature of filling something before a specific need arises.

initially filled

"Initially" focuses on the beginning or first instance of the filling action.

FAQs

What does "filled earlier" mean?

The phrase "filled earlier" means something was completed or occupied at a point in time preceding the current context or a specified time. It implies a prior action of filling.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "filled earlier"?

You can use alternatives like "previously filled", "already filled", or "completed prior" depending on the context.

Is "filled earlier" grammatically correct?

Yes, "filled earlier" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. However, ensure that the context provides a clear reference point for the 'earlier' timeframe.

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

Here's an example: "The application form was "filled earlier", so you don't need to complete a new one."