had previously discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had previously discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation or topic that was talked about at an earlier time before the current discussion. Example: "In our last meeting, we had previously discussed the budget allocation for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

DeWolfe told Rushton he had previously discussed the allegations with Murdoch.

The Guardian

He had previously discussed this kind of situation with his teammates to let them know what they could expect.

The New York Times - Sports

It had previously discussed the first one: abolishing intermediate measures for judgments in certain areas and for certain types of claims.

Columbia University

One was using the scientific learning cycle and a physical example we had previously discussed to illustrate a new, complicated theorem to her classmate.

University of California, Berkeley

The directors were expecting visits from clients with whom they had previously discussed specific works, sharing high-resolution images and market intelligence.

The New Yorker

The profit included a tax benefit of 3.6 cents a share, including a six-tenths of a cent gain that the company had previously discussed.

The New York Times

Deborah Felber, president of the Selden Civic Association, said her group had previously discussed Route 25 safety with the Department of Transportation.

The New York Times

At the morning session yesterday, one of the participants said, the owners raised a salary cap idea they had previously discussed with variations.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We have previously discussed these documents.

Harvard University

The Northerner has previously discussed this, here and here.

The Guardian

I've previously discussed why this argument is a complete risk management failure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had previously discussed" when you want to clearly indicate that a topic was brought up and talked about at some point in the past before the current conversation or situation. It adds clarity and emphasizes the prior discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "had previously discussed" when referring to something that is being discussed for the first time in the present. Using the past perfect implies that the discussion occurred before a specific point in the past, not for the first time now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had previously discussed" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action (discussing) was completed before a certain point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

23%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had previously discussed" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to indicate that a topic was discussed before a particular point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and shows that it is prevalent in diverse contexts, especially news, academic writing, and scientific articles. The phrase serves to provide context and background, setting the stage for ongoing conversations. While usable in both formal and informal settings, it is more frequently encountered in news, academic papers and professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had talked about before

Focuses on the act of talking, implying a less formal discussion.

had spoken about earlier

Similar to "had talked about before", but may imply a more structured conversation.

had mentioned earlier

Highlights the act of bringing something up, often briefly, in a prior conversation.

had considered before

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something in the past, rather than necessarily discussing it.

had addressed previously

Suggests a more formal or official discussion of an issue.

had covered in the past

Indicates that a topic was included in a previous discussion or presentation.

had touched on before

Implies a brief or superficial discussion of a topic.

had deliberated on before

Implies a careful and thorough consideration of a topic.

had conferred about earlier

Suggests a formal consultation or exchange of views.

had negotiated previously

Suggests a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "had previously discussed"?

You can use alternatives like "had talked about before", "had mentioned earlier", or "had addressed previously" depending on the context.

How do I use "had previously discussed" in a sentence?

Use "had previously discussed" to indicate that a topic was talked about before the current moment. For example, "We had previously discussed the budget, so let's move on to the marketing strategy."

Is "had previously discussed" formal or informal?

"Had previously discussed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "had previously discussed" and "had already discussed"?

The difference is subtle. "Had already discussed" implies that the discussion happened at some unspecified time before, while "had previously discussed" emphasizes that the discussion occurred at an earlier point relative to a specific time frame or event.