has previously been

USAGE SUMMARY

'has previously been' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has happened before. For example, "This issue has previously been discussed by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No such study has previously been undertaken.

The New York Times - Sports

The book has previously been translated into Chinese and French.

The New York Times

Keef has previously been convicted on drugs and weapons charges.

The Guardian - Music

The list has previously been presented to voters.

The New York Times

Heaney has previously been author of the year twice.

The Guardian - Books

The N.S.A.'s data mining has previously been reported.

The New York Times

Discussion of Putin's wealth has previously been taboo.

The Guardian

None of the three has previously been sanctioned for doping.

The Guardian - Sport

He has previously been photographed performing a Nazi salute.

The Guardian - Sport

Sickert has previously been linked to the Ripper murders.

The New York Times - Arts

Mittal has previously been at the centre of political controversy.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has previously been", ensure that the context clearly indicates what occurred before and why it's relevant to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "has previously been" without clearly specifying what "it" refers to. Always ensure the antecedent is evident to your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has previously been" functions as a temporal marker indicating that an action, state, or condition existed at some point before the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and frequently employed in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has previously been" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to indicate that something occurred before the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable across different writing styles, from neutral reporting to formal scientific discourse. While alternatives like "was previously" exist, this phrase emphasizes relevance to the current context. When using "has previously been", be sure to provide clear context so that your readers understand what you're referring to. It appears most often in "Science" and "News & Media" contexts, making it a versatile choice for various writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was previously

A more succinct way of conveying the same meaning.

had been earlier

This option emphasizes the temporal aspect of the prior occurrence.

has been earlier on

Implies something occurred earlier in a process or sequence.

had in the past been

Adds emphasis to the fact that something happened at some undefined moment in the past.

was formerly

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary and suggests a state that existed at an earlier time.

has been known before

Focuses on prior awareness or knowledge of something.

formerly consisted of

Focuses on a former composition or makeup.

has already existed

This emphasizes the existence of something prior to the present.

was at one time

Suggests that something was true or existed in the past, but is no longer so.

was once

This offers a more concise way to indicate a past state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "has previously been" in a sentence?

Use "has previously been" to indicate that something has occurred or existed before the present moment. For example, "The issue "has previously been reported"".

What's a simpler way to say "has previously been"?

Alternatives include "was previously", "was formerly", or "had been earlier" depending on the specific context.

Is "has previously been" formal or informal?

"Has previously been" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, often appearing in news reports, scientific articles, and business communications.

Which is correct, "has previously been" or "was previously"?

Both "has previously been" and "was previously" can be correct, but they indicate slightly different time frames. "Has previously been" suggests relevance to the present, while "was previously" refers to a completed past state.