has previously described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has previously described" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been explained or detailed in the past. Example: "The author has previously described the methodology used in the study in her earlier publications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Price has previously described his divorce as amicable.

The Guardian

Lawson has previously described her husband as "an exploder".

The Guardian - Arts

McInnes has previously described the Proud Boys as a gang.

The Guardian

Shatner has previously described himself as a cryptocurrency skeptic.

The Washington Post

MacKenzie, 68, has previously described the Sun as his "alma mater".

The Guardian

Dunham has previously described her heritage as "half-Jew, half-Wasp".

The Guardian

She has previously described Tony Abbott as a climate change "villain".

The Guardian - Books

The former staffer has previously described speaking to Roy, who in turn sought advice from Pyne.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has previously described National Action as "a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation".

BBC

And despite attracting controversy over his views on religion, the author of the God Delusion has previously described himself as a "cultural Anglican".

The Guardian

Pope Francis has previously described paedophilia as an "ugly crime", likening it to a "satanic mass".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety and richness to your text, consider using related phrases such as "had earlier recounted" or "has formerly characterized" instead of repeating "has previously described" multiple times.

Common error

Avoid using "has previously described" excessively in passive constructions, which can make your writing sound weak. Instead, focus on who did the describing and what they described for a more active and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has previously described" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces information or details that have been articulated at an earlier time. This is seen across various contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has previously described" is a versatile phrase used to refer to information that has been articulated before. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various authoritative sources. While the phrase is valid in several contexts, is more common in news and media. To enhance writing style, consider using synonyms like "had earlier recounted" or "has formerly characterized". Remember to keep an active voice and avoid passive construction to keep the reader enganged in the content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had previously detailed

Emphasizes that the previous description was thorough and comprehensive.

has earlier depicted

Changes 'described' to 'depicted', emphasizing a visual or illustrative representation.

has previously portrayed

Changes 'described' to 'portrayed', emphasizing the manner or style in which something was presented.

has formerly characterized

Replaces 'previously described' with 'formerly characterized', suggesting a formal or official prior assessment.

has already articulated

Replaces 'described' with 'articulated', which suggests a clear and expressive prior statement.

had earlier recounted

Uses 'recounted' instead of 'described', focusing on a narrative or storytelling aspect.

earlier defined

Using 'defined' suggests a formal explanation or established meaning was given before.

has once mentioned

Substitutes 'previously described' with 'once mentioned', indicating a single, past reference.

once stated

This alternative is more direct, replacing 'has previously described' with a straightforward assertion of a past statement.

has in the past explained

This alternative uses a more descriptive way to express a previous description.

FAQs

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

Use "has previously described" to indicate that someone has provided details or an account of something at an earlier time. For example: "The author "has previously described" the methodology in detail in a prior study".

What are some alternatives to "has previously described"?

Alternatives include "has earlier depicted", "had previously detailed", or "has already articulated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "had previously described" instead of "has previously described"?

Yes, "had previously described" is correct but indicates a point further in the past relative to "has previously described". Use "had" when referring to an action completed before another past action or time.

What's the difference between "has previously described" and "has recently described"?

"Has previously described" refers to a description given at any earlier time, while "has recently described" indicates the description was given in the near past. The choice depends on the time frame you want to emphasize.