found earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was discovered or mentioned at an earlier point in a text or conversation. Example: "The data we need can be found earlier in the report, specifically in the introduction section."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Later studies found earlier cases.

The New York Times

A torpedo was also found earlier in September.

The Guardian

The eight trains had been scheduled to run after cracks found earlier had been repaired.

The New York Times

The independent panel, now disbanded, found earlier culls were neither effective nor humane.

The Guardian

"I think there is no camaraderie anymore, no great esprit de corps that I found earlier.

The New York Times

Two of the dead crewmen found earlier held handwritten notes describing the crew's arduous final hours.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The second one was found earlier this month.

The Washington Post

Mr Negrete's body was found earlier this month.

BBC

Saraphina was found earlier this year almost starving to death at a Haitian orphanage.

Huffington Post

Some of them look a lot more peculiar, like the "iguana" found earlier this month.

Huffington Post

Reuters found earlier this month that half of all women have a "very unfavorable" view of the GOP front-runner. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found earlier", ensure that the context clearly establishes the previous time frame or reference point. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "found earlier" without specifying when it was found earlier. Provide a specific timeframe or reference point to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found earlier" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate that something was discovered or located at a prior time. This usage is well-supported by Ludwig's examples, showing it acts to specify temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found earlier" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that provides temporal context to a discovery or finding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various domains, though more formal settings may benefit from alternatives such as "previously discovered" or "identified previously". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific temporal references to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously discovered

Focuses on the act of discovery having happened before.

discovered beforehand

Emphasizes the planning or anticipation of the discovery.

identified previously

Highlights the act of identification occurring at an earlier time.

recognized earlier

Stresses the acknowledgement or awareness of something at a prior point.

detected previously

Focuses on the act of noticing or sensing something before.

unearthed before

Implies digging up or uncovering something prior to the current time.

located beforehand

Emphasizes the act of finding something's position in advance.

ascertained previously

Highlights the process of confirming something's truth or accuracy before.

established earlier

Focuses on something being set up or proven at a previous time.

revealed beforehand

Stresses the act of making something known in advance.

FAQs

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

You can use "found earlier" to refer to something that was discovered or located at a previous time. For example: "The missing document was "found earlier" this week in the archive room."

What is a good alternative to "found earlier"?

Alternatives to "found earlier" include "previously discovered", "identified previously", or "discovered beforehand". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "previously found earlier"?

Yes, using "previously found earlier" is generally considered redundant because "earlier" already implies a prior time. It's best to choose either "previously found" or ""found earlier"".

How does the formality of "found earlier" compare to its alternatives?

"Found earlier" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for most contexts. More formal alternatives might include "previously identified" or "ascertained previously", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.