has previously had

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has previously had" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred in the past before the present moment or another event. Example: "The patient has previously had surgery on the same knee, which may affect the current treatment plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has previously had a brain scan.

The New York Times

He has previously had spells playing for Glamorgan and Somerset in county cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

Companies House records suggest that TGXP has previously had difficulty making money from the track days.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Olajuwon has previously had difficulty playing in the high altitude of Colorado.

The New York Times - Sports

It does not include a prime minister, which Afghanistan has previously had.

The New York Times

His company has previously had gone its journalists banned from entering the country.

The Guardian

Mr. Lavrov has previously had cause to regret endorsing Internet speculation.

The New York Times

The automaker has previously had steering problems with its Ram pickups.

The New York Times

Odyssey has previously had to contend with other seizures of its vessels amid legal rancour.

Independent

The nationalist party has previously had a policy of not voting on matters which purely affect England.

The Guardian

In case you hadn't heard, the airline has previously had a poor record of losing or misplacing luggage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has previously had" to clearly indicate that an event or state occurred at some point before the present, adding context to the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using "has previously had" in constructions that could be more direct and active. For example, instead of "The issue has previously had attention drawn to it", try "The issue previously attracted attention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has previously had" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that an action or state occurred at some unspecified time before the present, emphasizing the relevance of the past event to the present situation. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has previously had" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a past occurrence relevant to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "had before" in informal contexts, "has previously had" is appropriate for a range of writing styles, particularly in news and media. Remember to use it actively, avoiding unnecessary passive constructions for clearer communication. With a neutral register and frequent presence in reputable sources, mastering its usage enhances writing precision and contextual depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had before

Reorders the words for a slightly less formal tone.

experienced previously

Uses a different verb to describe a past occurrence.

encountered in the past

Replaces "had" with "encountered" and specifies the timeframe.

underwent earlier

Implies a process or experience that was completed at an earlier time.

previously possessed

Focuses on ownership or having something in the past.

once owned

Highlights a past state of ownership that is no longer current.

used to have

Indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true.

in the past had

Emphasizes the past timeframe.

earlier enjoyed

Implies a past positive experience.

formerly maintained

Suggests a position or state that was kept in the past.

FAQs

What does "has previously had" mean?

The phrase "has previously had" indicates that something occurred or existed before the current time or another specified event. It emphasizes that the event is not recent but happened at some point in the past.

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

You can use "has previously had" to provide context about past experiences, possessions, or conditions. For example: "The company "has previously had" financial difficulties, but is now stable."

What are some alternatives to "has previously had"?

Alternatives include "had before", "experienced previously", or "encountered in the past". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "has previously had" formal or informal?

"Has previously had" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While grammatically correct and widely used, simpler alternatives like "had before" might be preferable in very informal settings.