however previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however previously" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is generally redundant, as "however" and "previously" convey contrasting ideas that do not logically fit together. Example: "The project was successful; however previously, we faced many challenges."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, previously, there were no events put on by the BCF for girls and no support for girls.

The Guardian - Sport

However, previously unpublished papers released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal one of the MoD's senior officials told a private gathering of arms manufacturers that the decision had already been taken.

The Guardian

He has stopped short of saying he would take the UK out of the grouping however, previously saying there was "no appetite" for such a move.

Independent

However, previously published research is limited.

The Spine Journal

However, previously research focus on the normal mild steel.

Procedia Engineering

Tesla, however, previously said it has no record of Huang complaining about Autopilot.

TechCrunch

However, previously it seemed that there existed some misunderstanding in adopting these Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.

Chemical Engineering Science

However, previously, the transient testing was conducted using as-received specimens (and not aged specimens).

Journal of Nuclear Materials

However, previously published data have suggested that implant migration can continue for ≥2 years after surgery.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

However, previously developed injectable matrices often suffer from low bioactivity or poor mechanical properties.

Acta Biomaterialia

However, previously, no scheme on sharing points on an elliptic curve has been devised.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "however previously" in formal writing. It's often seen as redundant because "however" already implies a contrast with what came before. Choose one or the other for clarity.

Common error

Be mindful of using phrases where one word duplicates the meaning of another. Using both "however" and "previously" together can weaken your writing. Opt for a concise and direct expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however previously" attempts to function as a transitional phrase, aiming to introduce a contrast to a prior statement while indicating a temporal relationship. However, according to Ludwig, this combination is not considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "however previously" occurs frequently across various sources, particularly in scientific and news contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI emphasizes its redundancy, as "however" already implies a contrast to a prior state. For clearer and more effective writing, it's best to opt for alternatives like "nevertheless before", "nonetheless earlier", or simply choose either "however" or "previously" depending on the context. The frequent occurrence doesn't justify its use; clarity and grammatical correctness should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless before

Combines a contrasting adverb with a temporal prepositional phrase, offering a structured alternative.

nonetheless earlier

Similar to "nevertheless before", it joins a contrasting adverb with a temporal adverb, making it a suitable replacement.

yet in the past

Uses "yet" for contrast and "in the past" to indicate a prior time, providing a clearer chronological context.

though formerly

"Though" introduces a contrast, while "formerly" specifies that something was true at an earlier time.

in contrast to what existed before

This phrase directly indicates a contrast with a prior state, making the relationship clear.

unlike what came before

Emphasizes the difference from a prior situation, which is often the intended meaning.

however in earlier times

While it keeps "however", it clarifies with "in earlier times", which is less redundant.

previously but now

This alternative splits the components, using "previously" to set the initial state and "but now" to introduce the contrast.

that said previously

Uses "that said" as a transition and clarifies the prior context with "previously".

conversely in prior times

Employs "conversely" to show contrast and "in prior times" for temporal context.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "however previously"?

The phrase "however previously" is often considered grammatically incorrect or redundant because "however" already implies a contrast or exception to something that was stated or understood before. Using "previously" with "however" can be seen as repetitive.

Are there better alternatives to "however previously"?

Yes, you can use single words like "however" or "previously" alone, or you can rephrase the sentence to be more clear and concise. Other alternatives include "nevertheless before" or "nonetheless earlier".

How can I use "previously" correctly in a sentence?

Use "previously" to indicate that something happened or was true at an earlier time. For example, "Previously, I worked as a teacher."

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "however previously"?

Although not grammatically ideal, you might find the phrase "however previously" in informal writing or speech, or in texts where the writer's first language isn't English. However, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts.