he previously said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he previously said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that someone mentioned or stated at an earlier time. Example: "In his last interview, he previously said that he would consider running for office again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He previously said: "It's a whole new, different thing for us.

Independent

He previously said that he too would step down once the liberation was declared.

The Economist

He previously said: "I've been bathing with him a lot recently, it's been really cute.

Independent

He previously said he was ready to become president of Russia in the future.

The Guardian

He previously said it annoyed him, getting in his eyes, but perhaps he has warmed to the shaggy cut?

Independent

He previously said: "I saw her twice before Christmas and she came to see me on Christmas Day (25.12.10).

Independent

He previously said he would first seek licenses in the larger states, including California, Texas and Florida.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I just saw the reports that he had previously said he opposed same sex marriage and now, according to ABC News, he said that he supports it.

Huffington Post

He has previously said he hoped to have six months to devise the plan.

The New York Times

He has previously said he would like Facebook messaging to become an alternative to email.

The Guardian - Tech

He has previously said he would like to leave the franchise afterwards.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. While "he previously said" is generally neutral, alternatives like "he asserted" or "he disclosed" can add nuance to your message.

Common error

A common mistake is using the wrong tense in relation to "he previously said". Ensure the verb tense in the quote or reported information aligns with the past tense established by "previously said". For example, avoid mixing past and present tenses within the same sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he previously said" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that someone stated at an earlier time. Ludwig confirms this common usage, which helps provide context or background information in a narrative or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he previously said" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to someone's earlier statement. As Ludwig confirms, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts to provide background information or establish a timeline of events. When using this phrase, ensure that the pronoun 'he' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and that the verb tense of the reported information aligns with the past tense of the introductory clause. While generally neutral, consider alternatives to adjust the tone and emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he stated earlier

Replaces 'previously said' with 'stated earlier', maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the act of stating.

he mentioned before

Substitutes 'previously said' with 'mentioned before', indicating a less formal communication of the information.

he indicated earlier

Uses 'indicated' instead of 'said', suggesting a more subtle or indirect communication of the information.

he had stated in the past

Rephrases 'previously said' to 'had stated in the past', emphasizing that the statement occurred at some point before the current time.

he once remarked

Replaces 'previously said' with 'once remarked', implying a more casual or offhand comment.

he had earlier asserted

Uses 'asserted' instead of 'said', suggesting a more confident or forceful declaration.

he declared previously

Swaps 'previously said' for 'declared previously', conveying a more formal and public announcement.

he disclosed before

Substitutes 'previously said' with 'disclosed before', highlighting the revealing or uncovering of information.

he revealed earlier

Replaces 'previously said' with 'revealed earlier', implying that the information was once hidden or unknown.

he communicated earlier

Uses 'communicated' instead of 'said', indicating a broader range of methods for conveying the information, not just verbal.

FAQs

How can I use "he previously said" in a sentence?

Use "he previously said" to refer to a statement someone made earlier. For example, "The CEO announced the company's profits. "He previously said" that investments would increase next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "he previously said"?

Alternatives include "he stated earlier", "he mentioned before", or "he indicated earlier". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "he had previously said"?

Yes, "he had previously said" is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that the statement was made at a point further in the past relative to another past event or time.

What's the difference between "he previously said" and "he later said"?

"He previously said" refers to an earlier statement, while "he later said" refers to a statement made at a subsequent time. They indicate different points in time relative to the current context.