had been previously reported

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been previously reported" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example: "The information, which had been previously reported, was revealed to be false."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Much in the review had been previously reported, but it added details and some follow-up.

The New York Times

A company spokesman said none of the transactions had been previously reported in the news media.

The New York Times

And it noted that, anyway, "much of this information had been previously reported".

The New Yorker

The deal, which had been previously reported although the buyer had not been identified, is to close in April.

The New York Times

July sales had been previously reported to have increased 0.4 percent.

The New York Times

It uncovered up to 700 cases than had been previously reported.

Independent

It had been previously reported that Mr. Tsarnaev's application might have been held up because of a domestic abuse episode.

The New York Times

In the cases disclosed on the list — a tally of all pending cases as of July — the accusations had been previously reported in the news media.

The New York Times

In one case, those threats had been previously reported to Twitter.

TechCrunch

Association between pattern-recognition receptor coding genes and BD had been previously reported.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

The presence of such small nanoparticles had been previously reported in the literature [6].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been previously reported" when you want to emphasize that information was not newly discovered or revealed, but rather already documented or known. This helps to provide context and avoid misinterpretations about the novelty of the information.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "it was previously reported earlier" as it contains redundant adverbs. Choose either "previously" or "earlier" to maintain conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been previously reported" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action (reporting) was completed at some point before a specific time in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been previously reported" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates prior documentation or knowledge of information. According to Ludwig AI, this is a valid phrase in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase serves to provide background and context to current discussions or findings. When writing, using direct and simple phrasing enhances clarity and impact. For alternatives consider using was reported earlier or was already known. The most important aspect is to ensure that this information is not new and has been known.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reported earlier

This alternative omits "previously" and "been", creating a more concise phrasing with a similar meaning.

was already known

This option focuses on the knowledge aspect rather than the reporting, shifting the emphasis slightly.

had been disclosed before

This phrase highlights the act of making something known, differing from a general report.

had been revealed earlier

This implies that the information was uncovered, adding a nuance of discovery.

had been announced before

This suggests a formal declaration or communication, changing the context somewhat.

was documented previously

This option emphasizes the existence of records, moving away from reporting.

was formerly publicized

This suggests that the information was made available to the public at an earlier time.

was previously mentioned

This is a more general alternative that can be used when the context does not require a formal report.

was in the public domain

This indicates that the information was accessible to everyone, implying widespread knowledge.

had been covered earlier

This option is often used in media contexts, suggesting prior news coverage.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had been previously reported" to sound more concise?

You can use shorter alternatives like "was reported earlier" or "was already known" depending on the specific context. These options remove redundancy while maintaining a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "had been previously reported" and "had been recently reported"?

"Had been previously reported" indicates the information was reported at some unspecified time in the past. Whereas, "had been recently reported" indicates the information was reported in the near past. The term "recently" is more specific about the timing.

Is "had been previously reported" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "had been previously reported" is suitable for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and often used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. However, ensure the phrasing fits the overall tone and style of your document.

Are there situations where I should avoid using "had been previously reported"?

While grammatically sound, "had been previously reported" may be overly formal or wordy in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives if the primary goal is brevity or if the audience is unfamiliar with formal language. For example, "was mentioned before" might suffice.