it previously stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it previously stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action or event that has already ceased in the past. Example: "The machine was malfunctioning, and it previously stopped working for several hours before we managed to fix it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It previously stopped using its custom BlackBerry OS and instead adopted Android to power its latest phone, the BlackBerry Priv.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

* Resume Play – begin playing a DVD or BD disc from the point where you previously stopped it, even if you eject the disc and insert a different movie or game.

TechCrunch

Hornby had previously stopped UK production in 1999.

The Guardian - Business

Chaffetz previously stopped short of forcing fellow Republican Snyder to face a grilling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like the Bradford family, the missing 12 from Luton were also previously stopped by police when trying to leave the country before being allowed to travel.

The Guardian

Handily enough, you can get onto the Virgin Web site to re-activate your MiFi, even if you'd previously stopped paying for service.

The New York Times - Tech

But Mr. McCain had previously stopped short of endorsing the view that Mr. Bush's program of surveillance without warrants was lawful all along because a president's wartime powers can trump statutory limits.

The New York Times

My own impression is that a combination of poll figures and Lucas's star quality is encouraging people to think about crossing the line that previously stopped them voting Green at a general election.

The Guardian - Opinion

This could imply that Americans who have previously stopped looking for work are now feeling more optimistic about the US job market and are once again starting to look for jobs.

The Guardian - Business

The call marks a change in policy for the Tories, who had previously stopped short of calling on the government to sign up to a convention that would allow women and children rescued from captivity a leave of stay in the UK.

The Guardian

White House officials had previously stopped short of pointing the finger at North Korea.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it previously stopped", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it previously stopped" when you actually mean it stopped a long time ago. The word "previously" implies a more recent or relevant past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it previously stopped" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. According to Ludwig AI, this is used to indicate that an action or state had ceased at some point in the past.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it previously stopped" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a prior cessation of an action or state. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively infrequent. The phrase is appropriate for neutral registers and serves to provide context by highlighting a past event. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject ("it") and the relevance of the prior stopping action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it halted before

Focuses on the action of halting, maintaining a similar level of formality.

it had stopped beforehand

Uses "beforehand" to stress the prior nature of the stopping.

it ceased operation earlier

Emphasizes the termination of an operation or function, adding a touch of formality.

it discontinued before

Highlights the act of discontinuing something, suitable for formal contexts.

it had stopped in the past

Explicitly mentions the past, adding redundancy but reinforcing the timeline.

it suspended earlier

Suggests a temporary cessation, which might not always be interchangeable.

it was previously suspended

Passive voice construction emphasizing the state of being suspended.

it quit earlier

More informal way of saying it stopped.

it had been stopped before

Emphasizes that the stopping action was done by someone or something else.

it broke down previously

Implies a failure or malfunction leading to the stop, adding a specific cause.

FAQs

How can I use "it previously stopped" in a sentence?

Use "it previously stopped" to indicate that something had ceased its activity at an earlier point in time. For instance, "The machine was malfunctioning, and "it previously stopped" working for several hours before we managed to fix it."

What are some alternatives to using "it previously stopped"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it halted before", "it ceased operation earlier", or "it discontinued before" depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it previously stopped" and "it had stopped before"?

While similar, "it previously stopped" suggests a more recent stopping action compared to "it had stopped before", which can refer to a cessation that occurred further in the past. The subtle difference lies in the implied relevance of the prior stopping event.

In what contexts is "it previously stopped" most appropriate?

"It previously stopped" is suitable in contexts where the prior cessation is relevant to the current situation, such as explaining why a machine needs maintenance or why a project is being reassessed.