is previously used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is previously used" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "has been previously used" to indicate that something was used at an earlier time. Example: "The method has been previously used in several studies to achieve accurate results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This edge-preserving smoothing operator is previously used in processing seismic images for enhancing resolution.

Journal of Applied Geophysics

The KOOS is previously used in HTO [ 18].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The Actiheart is previously used on workers with physical demanding work, and validated for measurements of HRV [ 60].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Repeating a grade is previously used as an indicator of scholastic underachievement and is for instance related to the risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses [ 14].

BMC Psychiatry

RWR is previously used in the rank of disease genes [ 28], which holds the assumption that the candidate pathogen genes are more proximate to the known disease genes than randomly selected genes.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Several collections of TB related compounds have been previously used for generating Bayesian Models by us.

Journal of Cheminformatics

If the land was previously used for subsistence farming, the situation likely becomes worse".

The Guardian

In Litchfield County, some land on the market was previously used as farmland.

The New York Times

The Victorian mansion block was previously used by Brent council to house homeless families.

The Guardian

A good lawyer and broker can also investigate how the land was previously used.

The New York Times

The space was previously used for receptions, conventions and intermission milling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct perfect tense ("has been previously used" or "was previously used") to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Don't omit the auxiliary verb "has/was/had" before "previously". Omitting it creates a grammatically incorrect phrase that can confuse readers. Remember that "previously" is an adverb that modifies the verb, not replaces part of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is previously used" attempts to function as a passive construction, indicating that something has been utilized or employed at an earlier time. However, it lacks the necessary auxiliary verb, making it grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is previously used" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct forms are "has been previously used" or "was previously used", depending on the intended tense and context. While the phrase appears in various sources, primarily in science and news media, it's crucial to prioritize grammatical accuracy for clear and effective communication. Always include the necessary auxiliary verb to ensure your writing is correct and easily understood. Alternative phrases like "has seen prior application" can provide a more formal and precise way to express the concept of prior usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been used before

This alternative uses a perfect tense to emphasize the completion of the action in the past.

was employed formerly

This alternative substitutes "used" with "employed" and "previously" with "formerly", increasing the formality.

had been utilized earlier

This uses the past perfect tense with a more formal verb ("utilized") to indicate a past action completed before another point in the past.

is not new

This alternative conveys a similar meaning by negating the concept of novelty.

has seen prior application

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the application aspect of usage.

is of earlier design

This option emphasizes that something was designed at an earlier time.

existed before

This version stresses that something had existence prior to now.

was known formerly

This uses "known" to describe the state of being previously used or recognized.

has historical precedent

This alternative suggests that there's a history or previous case of the thing in question.

is ancient practice

This version gives a more traditional, historical feel to the concept.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "is previously used"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "has been previously used" or "was previously used", depending on the context and tense you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has been previously used" and "was previously used"?

"Has been previously used" implies a connection to the present, while "was previously used" refers to a completed action in the past with no direct connection to the present.

Can I use "is previously used" in formal writing?

No, "is previously used" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Use "has been previously used" or "was previously used" instead.

What can I say instead of "is previously used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "has seen prior application" or "had been utilized earlier".