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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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had previously served

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The Guardian

He had previously served with the Metropolitan police drug squad.

News & Media

The Guardian

Dr. Malvino had previously served on Research Frontiers' advisory board.

News & Media

The New York Times

She had previously served in the boys' school.

News & Media

The Guardian

French and Moland had previously served in Norway's armed forces.

News & Media

The Guardian

Dorn Cox noted that the pond had previously served as their swimming pond.

He had previously served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He had previously served in Germany and South Korea, where he received training as a sniper.

News & Media

The New York Times

He was succeeded by the company's chairman, Yang Yuanqing, who had previously served as chief executive.

Mr. Mulligan had previously served as the chief financial officer of Seagram.

News & Media

The New York Times

Goudarzi had previously served a one-year jail sentence following Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: