had previously linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had previously linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a connection or relationship was established at an earlier time before the current context. Example: "The researchers had previously linked the two variables in their earlier studies, suggesting a strong correlation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Mr. Gephardt had previously linked Dr. Dean to Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, saying Dr. Dean repeatedly sided with Republicans in the mid-1990's in calling for reduced spending on Medicare.

The New York Times

United States officials had previously linked Mr. al Marabh to a former Boston cab driver now jailed in Jordan on charges of plotting attacks on tourist and holy sites there on the eve of the millennium celebrations.

The New York Times

The authorities had previously linked Mr. al-Marabh to a former Boston cabdriver now jailed in Jordan on charges of plotting attacks on tourist and holy sites there on the eve of the millennium celebrations.

The New York Times

The authorities had previously linked a killing in Montgomery, Ala., on Sept. 21 to Mr. Muhammad and Mr. Malvo, and the police in Baton Rouge, La., on Thursday named them suspects in a Sept. 23 killing.

The New York Times

Authorities in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina had previously linked at least six deaths to the storm, a toll officials have worried will continue to rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue.

The Washington Post

Prosecutors said the hackers were part of a Beijing-backed group, dubbed APT10, which various security companies had previously linked to China.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Iran has previously linked Jundallah to al-Qaida and claimed it was receiving American backing, something the US denies.

The Guardian

His first study, which has just begun, will focus on a circuit that his team has previously linked to Parkinson's disease.

MIT Technology Review

However, we have previously linked decreased β-cell cell function in our oleate infusion model with increased ROS and inflammation in islets6,7,8,9,28, which is suggestive of lipotoxicity.

Nature

We have previously linked sCD4 to the fusion inhibitor FIT45 (sCD4-FIT45) and examined delivery of the bifunctional entry inhibitor via gene therapy.

Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids

Speculation has previously linked him with Wolves, Aston Villa and even Glasgow Rangers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had previously linked", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeline, indicating that the linking occurred before the event currently being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "had previously linked" if the connection is still current or ongoing. Use present perfect or present tense instead to reflect the continuing link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had previously linked" functions as a verb phrase within a clause, indicating a completed action in the past relative to another point in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to establish a connection that existed at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Science & Research

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had previously linked" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote a connection established prior to a specific point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's effectively employed across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and research domains. While the phrase is generally formal, its proper use hinges on accurately portraying the timeline of events. Remember to consider alternatives such as "had earlier associated" or "had formerly connected" to achieve nuanced expression. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can ensure clarity and precision when using "had previously linked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had already associated

Emphasizes the prior nature of the association using "already".

had earlier associated

Replaces "previously linked" with "earlier associated", emphasizing a past association.

had formerly connected

Uses "formerly connected" instead of "previously linked", suggesting a connection that existed in the past.

had established a prior link to

Emphasizes the establishment of the link at an earlier time.

had once tied to

Substitutes "linked" with "tied to", implying a past connection or relationship.

were formerly associated with

Uses passive voice and "formerly associated" to emphasize a past association.

had at one time connected

Replaces "previously" with "at one time", highlighting a connection that existed in the past but may not anymore.

had in the past related to

Uses "related to" instead of "linked", indicating a past relationship or connection.

were earlier connected to

Changes the structure to passive voice, focusing on what was connected.

had been known to connect

Shifts focus to the knowledge of the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "had previously linked" in a sentence?

Use "had previously linked" to indicate that a connection or association was established before the current time frame in your sentence. For example, "The researchers "had previously linked" these two genes in an earlier study".

What are some alternatives to "had previously linked"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had earlier associated", "had formerly connected", or "had once tied to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "had previously linked" instead of "has previously linked"?

"Had previously linked" is used when discussing a past event from a point further in the past, indicating the connection was made before that past event. "Has previously linked" is used when discussing something in the present, and the connection was made at some point before now.

Is it correct to say "was previously linked" instead of "had previously linked"?

Yes, "was previously linked" can be correct, particularly in passive constructions, but it depends on the sentence's context. "Had previously linked" emphasizes the completion of the linking action before another point in the past, while "was previously linked" simply states a prior connection without necessarily emphasizing the sequence of past actions.