has previously obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has previously obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was acquired or received in the past before the current time. Example: "The researcher has previously obtained significant data that supports her hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

end.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Our laboratory has previously obtained a high butanol producing strain, C. acetobutylicum EA 2018, through butanol resistance screening of N-methyl N-nitro N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) treated Clostridium strain isolated from soil [ 22].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The lawsuit was settled last week, lifting sanctions for builders who had previously obtained water permits.

The New York Times

Ms Willis had previously obtained a non-molestation order against her former lover.

Independent

Lawyers for Giggs had previously obtained a High Court order asking Twitter to reveal details of users who had revealed his identity after thousands named him in recent days.

The Guardian

Having previously obtained an extra set of clean sheets [$20 — laundry], I traded these and my silence for L.'s superior berth.

The New Yorker

Leslie Crocker Snyder, one of the candidates, held a press conference with Stanley Patz, Etan's father — who had previously obtained a default wrongful-death judgment against Ramos in civil court — and she pledged that "as district attorney, I will work to insure that justice is finally served in this tragic case".

The New Yorker

Lyft had previously obtained insurance that covered any incident when a passenger was in a car.

TechCrunch

We have previously obtained successful results from our 3′ and internal exon exchange experiments using a minigene target in cell cultures.

Neuromuscular Disorders

We have previously obtained successful results from our 3′ exon exchange and first internal exon exchange experiments and continue to develop the internal exon exchange technique further.

Neuromuscular Disorders

We had previously obtained the EfTS crystal structure of the protein in complex with the metabolite 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-FTHF) suggesting the protein role as metabolite reservoir; however, protein inhibitors complexes were still missing.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has previously obtained" to clearly indicate that something was acquired or received before the time frame you are currently discussing. This helps establish a chronological sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid structuring sentences with "has previously obtained" in a way that obscures who performed the action. Ensure the subject of the sentence is clear and active rather than passive. For example, prefer "The company has previously obtained the necessary permits" over "The necessary permits have been previously obtained."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has previously obtained" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action of obtaining or acquiring something was completed at some point before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has previously obtained" is a correct and useful phrase for indicating a past acquisition, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. To enhance your writing, be sure to clearly identify the subject performing the action and consider using synonyms like "had earlier acquired" or "has acquired beforehand" for variety. Keep in mind the formal tone of the phrase, making it suitable for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has acquired beforehand

Replaces "previously obtained" with "acquired beforehand", modifying the adverb and verb while preserving the meaning.

had earlier acquired

Replaces "has" with "had" and "previously obtained" with "earlier acquired" changing the tense and the verb used to express acquisition.

has in the past secured

Substitutes "previously obtained" with "in the past secured", using a different verb and prepositional phrase to indicate past attainment.

earlier gained possession of

Changes the structure to emphasize possession, replacing "has previously obtained" with "earlier gained possession of."

has sometime before procured

Uses "sometime before" in place of "previously" and "procured" for "obtained", offering a slightly more formal tone.

had at one time gotten

Uses a more informal phrasing with "gotten" instead of "obtained", and "at one time" replacing "previously".

already came into receipt of

Emphasizes receiving something, replacing the original phrase with "already came into receipt of", changing both vocabulary and structure.

once possessed

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a state of past possession, shifting the focus.

held before now

Changes "obtained" to "held", indicating previous ownership or holding of something.

was formerly granted

Shifts the focus to the act of being granted something in the past, using a passive voice.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has previously obtained" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "had earlier acquired", "has acquired beforehand", or "has in the past secured" to add variety to your writing.

Is there a more formal synonym for "has previously obtained"?

Yes, more formal options include "has formerly procured" or "already came into receipt of". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

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

"Has previously obtained" implies that the acquisition happened at some unspecified time in the past, while "has recently obtained" suggests the acquisition happened in the near past. The choice depends on the relevance of the timing.

When is it appropriate to use "has previously obtained" over simpler terms like "obtained"?

Use "has previously obtained" when you want to emphasize that the act of obtaining occurred before another event or point in time being discussed. It helps establish a sequence or context that "obtained" alone might not convey.