has previously defended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has previously defended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has provided a defense or support for a particular position or argument in the past. Example: "The lawyer has previously defended several high-profile cases, showcasing her expertise in criminal law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

King has previously defended the Irish Republican Army.

The Guardian

Brandis has previously defended the delay in correcting the record.

The Guardian

But Tommy G. Thompson, the director of the federal agency, has previously defended efforts and spending.

The New York Times

Patel refused to comment today but he has previously defended his work.

The Guardian

Trinity Mirror has previously defended itself against allegations of phone hacking at its titles.

The Guardian

But the government has previously defended its expansion plans for the two holy cities as necessary.

Independent

The Weidler auction house has previously defended the sale of Hitler's paintings on the grounds that they represented "historical documents".

The Guardian

The Treasury denied it had performed a U-turn on the issue, although it has previously defended its original policy.

The Guardian

The housing minister, Gavin Barwell, has previously defended the policy as being responsible for thousands of "desperately needed new homes".

The Guardian

He has previously defended the K.K.K. editorial as satire meant to draw attention to corruption in Washington.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Members have previously defended the newsletter -- The Zetemouth -- as satire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "advocated for" or "supported" if you want to slightly alter the nuance of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has previously defended" when the subject only offered a neutral explanation or commentary, rather than actual support or justification. Ensure there was a clear element of advocacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has previously defended" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of supporting or advocating for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. The phrase connects a subject with a past act of providing a defense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has previously defended" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to indicate that someone has provided support or justification for something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for a broad range of writing contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its utility in reporting on past actions and statements. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was defended and the context of that defense. Alternatives such as "has earlier advocated for" or "previously endorsed" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier supported

A more direct and simple way of expressing prior support.

previously endorsed

Suggests formal approval or support in the past.

has earlier advocated for

Replaces "defended" with "advocated for", emphasizing active support.

used to defend

Highlights a past habit or repeated action of defending.

had formerly championed

Uses "championed" to highlight strong support in the past.

once advocated

A simpler way of emphasizing a past act of support or promotion.

once stood by

Emphasizes a past stance of support, often in the face of opposition.

has in the past vouched for

Replaces "defended" with "vouched for", suggesting a guarantee of trustworthiness or validity.

had earlier justified

Focuses on providing reasons to support or excuse an action.

has at one time upheld

Indicates a past action of maintaining or supporting something.

FAQs

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

Use "has previously defended" to indicate that someone has, at an earlier time, supported or argued in favor of something. For example, "The politician "has previously defended" the policy, despite recent criticism."

What's a more formal alternative to "has previously defended"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "has formerly championed" or "had earlier justified", which convey a similar meaning with a greater degree of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "has previously defended" in academic writing?

Yes, "has previously defended" is appropriate for academic writing, especially when discussing someone's past arguments or positions. However, ensure the context and source are credible and relevant to your analysis.

What is the difference between "has previously defended" and "currently defends"?

"Has previously defended" indicates that the defense occurred at some point in the past but may not be ongoing. "Currently defends" suggests that the person is actively defending the same thing at the present time.