i previously studied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I previously studied" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are referring to something you studied in the past. For example: "I previously studied calculus, but now I'm focusing on chemistry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Before entering medical physics research, I previously studied experimental particle physics.

Harvard University

I am from Ottawa, Canada, where I previously studied Communications Engineering at Carleton University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Click here to view I previously studied at Guildhall, and the music I wrote back then for string quartet used a lot of harmonics and extended techniques.

The Guardian - Music

I previously studied the cosmic microwave background (CMB), seeking to understand the early Universe as a member of the BICEP/Keck collaboration.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I therefore found the information on the therapeutic applications of what I had previously studied in terms of cell/organism function very useful.

British Journal of Cancer

"I have previously studied rainfall records in the East Midlands that show a strong peak around 1879/80 and in London 1878/79" Thanks.

BBC

I have previously studied rainfall records in the East Midlands that show a strong peak around 1879/80 and in London 1878/79 - these were followed by runs of particularly dry years in the 1890s that would be comparable to the sorts of cycles we have seen in the last couple of decades.

BBC

After this, I received a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to study in a country where I had not previously studied.

Science Magazine

While the basis for the cyclic-nucleotide specificity for PKG I has been previously studied, the exact molecular mechanism is not known.

Plosone

These data, linearly corrected for a dose of 50 mg m−2, were compared with those of a series of 16 patients treated with DXR at 50 mg m−2 delivered by i.v. bolus, previously studied in our laboratory.

British Journal of Cancer

Therefore, because the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway was lost in Sulcia-CARI and the previously studied cosymbionts of Sulcia in GWSS and DSEM produced methionine and histidine (Wu et al. 2006; McCutcheon et al. 2009a), it was of interest to see if Zinderia had gene homologs for the production of tryptophan, methionine, and histidine.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing your qualifications or background, use "I previously studied" to clearly and concisely indicate past academic or research experiences. This is particularly effective in resumes, cover letters, and academic papers to establish your foundational knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using present tense when referring to past studies. For example, instead of saying "I study X previously", use the correct past tense form: "I previously studied X".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I previously studied" functions as a statement of past academic or research experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to introduce one's background. The examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various professional and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I previously studied" is a grammatically correct and concise phrase used to indicate past academic or research experience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It's most frequently found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you're using the past tense correctly and consider alternatives like "I have studied before" or "I formerly studied" for subtle variations in meaning. Remember, providing context and demonstrating a clear understanding of how your past studies connect to your current focus will make your writing more impactful. Although the frequency of this phrase is currently rare, it remains a valuable tool for effectively communicating your background and expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have studied before

Emphasizes the action of studying at an earlier time.

I once studied

Indicates a past study experience, often implying it was a one-time occurrence.

I formerly studied

A more formal way to express past studies.

I used to study

Suggests a habitual action of studying in the past that is no longer current.

My prior studies included

Focuses on the content of previous studies rather than the act itself.

Earlier in my education, I studied

Specifies that the studying occurred during an earlier educational phase.

In the past, I studied

A general way of indicating past studies.

I have a background in

Highlights past studies as a foundation of knowledge.

I am familiar with

Implies knowledge gained from past studies without explicitly stating the act of studying.

I possess knowledge of

Stresses the current possession of knowledge derived from past studies.

FAQs

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

You can use "I previously studied" to introduce your background or expertise in a specific field. For example, "I previously studied engineering, which gives me a strong foundation for this project."

What's the difference between "I previously studied" and "I studied"?

"I studied" is a general statement about past studies, while "I previously studied" emphasizes that the studies occurred before something else, often your current focus. For example, if you say "I studied biology", that's a general fact. But if you say "I previously studied biology, but now I'm focused on chemistry", it shows a shift in focus.

What can I say instead of "I previously studied"?

You can use alternatives like "I have studied before", "I once studied", or "I formerly studied" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have previously studied" instead of "I previously studied"?

Yes, "I have previously studied" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the completion of the study in the past. The simple past "I previously studied" is also correct and commonly used.