historically

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'historically' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word when you are referring to something that happened in the past or in the context of describing a certain trend or pattern that has occurred repeatedly. For example: "Historically, the S&P 500 has seen an average growth of 7% per year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Marriage is the union between a man and a woman, has been historically, remains so.

The New York Times

Historically, the Egyptian government has forced people to live in areas on Cairo's periphery, by evicting them from poor inner-city areas, and relocating them to the desert towns.

The Guardian

Still, historically, voters in the region tend to elect moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans, including one Republican, Rod Grams, that publicly flirted with both parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

This meant that for the second-year-running, developing countries took more investment than developed ones, which with $566bn had a historically low share of 39% despite showing growth on 2012.

The Guardian

If it wishes to sustain public service broadcasting there needs to be certain things that help sustain it, that you trade for those [PSB] obligations and one of those things historically has been EPG prominence," he added.

The Guardian

"For us the idea of a Jesuit pope is very strange," he said, explaining that historically the Jesuits had considered themselves "servants, not authorities, in church".

The Guardian

To the historically minded, it's also amusing that the fears about games are couched in exactly the same terms that 18th-century parents once used about the danger of letting their daughters read novels: they're too isolating, too absorbing; it's not healthy to spend that much time alone feeling strong emotions about a fictional story.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several hundred students from the historically black colleges of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University protested in front of CNN's Atlanta headquarters on Tuesday night, condemning the network's coverage of the Ferguson protests.

The Guardian

As deadlock looms and commentators descend into familiar demands for electoral reform, the leftwing campaign group Council of Canadians has launched a voter registration campaign, confident that increasing the last campaign's historically low 61% turnout will accomplish the necessary work automatically.

The Guardian

After all, coalitions in Westminster are historically the exception.

The Guardian

In those parts of the world historically resentful of western domination, resistance to equal marriage – and to gay and lesbian rights – has, if anything, grown in reaction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "historically" to provide context and depth to your writing. It shows awareness of how events have unfolded over time and influences the present.

Common error

Avoid using "historically" when simply referring to something that happened in the past without a clear connection to historical patterns or established knowledge. Use "in the past" or "previously" if no historical connection is intended.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "historically" primarily functions as an adverb of manner, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate that something is viewed or understood in terms of its history. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "historically" is a versatile adverb used to connect events and situations to their historical context. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and usable in written English. Its frequent use in News & Media, formal and business contexts highlights its importance in providing depth and perspective. Remember, as a best practice, use "historically" to enrich your narrative, while avoiding its misuse in contexts lacking a clear historical link. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively integrate "historically" into your writing to convey a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to history

Directly relates to established historical accounts, yet it is more emphatic and explicit.

from a historical perspective

Similar to "in historical terms", this phrase puts emphasis on how historical context is important.

in historical terms

Highlights the historical context but has a slightly different construction.

by way of history

Highlights how history is approached but is more suitable for specific explanations about historical events.

in the past

Focuses on a general period before the present, lacking the specific connection to history.

traditionally

Emphasizes customs and beliefs passed down through generations, not necessarily rooted in documented history.

formerly

Indicates a previous state or condition, without explicitly referencing history.

in bygone days

Refers to a past era, giving a sentimental nuance and does not have the same precision.

down through the years

Conveys the idea of a change over time, but the emphasis is on the period itself rather than on historicism.

of old

Refers to a time long ago; a more poetic or literary way of expressing "historically".

FAQs

How is "historically" used in a sentence?

"Historically" is used to describe something in relation to the past or history. For example, "Historically speaking, the company has always prioritized innovation."

What words can I use instead of "historically"?

You can use alternatives such as "traditionally", "formerly", or "in the past" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "historically" and "historically speaking"?

"Historically" refers to something based on history. "Historically speaking" introduces a statement from a historical point of view.

When is it appropriate to use "historically" in writing?

Use "historically" when you want to connect a current event or situation to its historical roots or context, showing how things have developed or changed over time. For example, "The region has "historically been" a center for trade".