have been previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been previously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred at an earlier time before the present or another reference point in time. Example: "The results of the experiment have been previously documented in several research papers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several cognitive deficits have been previously described.

Neuroscience Letters

Members who have been previously discharged with voluntary separation pay.

Cornell University

have been previously reported.

Chemistry Central Journal

These results have been previously published [18].

Health Economics Review

Only 18 cases have been previously documented.

Surgical Case Reports

carpatica (Romania) have been previously reported.

Chemistry Central Journal

Similar results have been previously reported.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Specific curricula have been previously validated.

Annals of Intensive Care

These numbers have been previously reported.

TechCrunch

BACKGROUND: Childhood developmental abnormalities have been previously described in schizophrenia.

Duke University

These lines have been previously described [20].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been previously" to clearly indicate that information, methods, or results have been documented or established in prior work. This ensures clarity and avoids unintentional plagiarism.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "as it has been previously stated", which can be redundant. Simply state that something "has been previously" described or reported, and provide a citation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been previously" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action, state, or piece of information was established or occurred at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to refer to documented methods or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

80%

Academia

10%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been previously" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something has been documented or established before. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in scientific and academic writing to provide context and reference prior work. While there are alternatives such as "were earlier" or "have already been", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide proper citations to avoid redundancy and plagiarism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were earlier

This alternative is shorter and implies that something existed or happened at an earlier time.

have already been

This version emphasizes the completion or prior occurrence of something.

were formerly

Implies a past state or condition that has changed.

had been earlier

This version uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that something happened before another point in the past.

have beforehand

Highlights that something existed or was done in advance.

have been earlier

A slightly more concise way to indicate prior existence or occurrence.

were hitherto

A more formal alternative emphasizing that something was known or existed up to a particular point.

were heretofore

Similar to "were hitherto" but even more formal and less common.

have at one time

Indicates something that was true or happened in the past but is no longer the case.

have been formerly

This phrase suggests a previous official or formal status.

FAQs

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

Use "have been previously" to refer to information, methods, or results that have already been documented or established. For example, "The methods "have been previously described" in detail [citation]".

What can I say instead of "have been previously"?

You can use alternatives like "were earlier", "have already been", or "were formerly" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "have been previously described" or "were previously described"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""have been previously described"" is typically used when referring to something that continues to be relevant or is part of an ongoing body of work. "Were previously described" is suitable when referring to something historical.

What's the difference between "have been previously" and "have been already"?

"Have been previously" emphasizes that something was done or established at an earlier point, while "have been already" highlights that something has been completed or is no longer novel. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.