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had previously served
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "had previously served" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone held a position or performed a duty before a certain point in time. Example: "He had previously served as the mayor before running for governor."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
He had previously served as Iran's deputy minister of culture.
News & Media
He had previously served with the Metropolitan police drug squad.
News & Media
Dr. Malvino had previously served on Research Frontiers' advisory board.
News & Media
She had previously served in the boys' school.
News & Media
French and Moland had previously served in Norway's armed forces.
News & Media
Dorn Cox noted that the pond had previously served as their swimming pond.
Academia
He had previously served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Academia
He had previously served in Germany and South Korea, where he received training as a sniper.
News & Media
He was succeeded by the company's chairman, Yang Yuanqing, who had previously served as chief executive.
News & Media
Mr. Mulligan had previously served as the chief financial officer of Seagram.
News & Media
Goudarzi had previously served a one-year jail sentence following Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "had previously served", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe and relevance of the past service to the current situation. This helps establish credibility or provide background information.
Common error
Avoid vagueness by specifying the dates or period when someone "had previously served". Without a clear timeframe, the information loses its impact and may confuse the reader.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "had previously served" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action or state, specifically denoting that someone held a position or performed a duty before a particular point in time. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely applicable.
Frequent in
News & Media
57%
Academia
15%
Wiki
13%
Less common in
Formal & Business
9%
Science
3%
Encyclopedias
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "had previously served" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate prior experience or tenure. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and academic contexts, the phrase serves to provide background, establish credibility, or explain qualifications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the timeframe is specified to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "formerly held a position" for a similar meaning. Ultimately, "had previously served" is a versatile tool for describing past roles in a clear and professional manner.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
formerly held a position
Emphasizes the past tenure in a role, replacing "served" with "held a position".
formerly was employed as
Specifies that the person was previously employed in a certain role.
earlier acted as
Highlights a past action or performance in a role.
once occupied the role of
Highlights a past occupation of a specific role, using more formal language.
prior role was
Emphasizes a role held before the current one.
previously tenured as
Focuses on prior tenure, suitable for academic or long-term positions.
past position included
Focuses on the inclusion of a particular role in someone's past employment.
had experience as
Generalizes the prior role to a broader experience, less specific about the exact position.
before was
A more concise, but slightly less formal, way to express a previous role.
used to be
Simplifies the phrase to a more informal expression of a past role.
FAQs
How to use "had previously served" in a sentence?
Use "had previously served" to indicate that someone held a position or performed a duty before a certain point in time. For example, "She had previously served as a director before becoming CEO."
What can I say instead of "had previously served"?
You can use alternatives like "formerly held a position", "once occupied the role of", or "earlier acted as" depending on the context.
Is "had previously served" formal or informal?
"Had previously served" is generally considered neutral to formal. While usable in most contexts, alternatives like "used to be" are more informal.
What's the difference between "had previously served" and "had served"?
"Had served" indicates past service without specifying its relation to another point in time. "Had previously served" emphasizes that the service occurred before something else mentioned in the sentence.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested