it previously was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it previously was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something existed or occurred at an earlier time but may not be the case now. Example: "The project was ambitious, but it previously was much larger in scope before budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It previously was available only on the iPad.

The New York Times - Tech

It may be semantics but it previously was the British vice-president of Fifa.

The Guardian - Sport

The purchase moved Oracle into the server hardware field, in which it previously was a partner with Hewlett-Packard.

The New York Times - Tech

The New Orleans that emerges after Hurricane Katrina has the potential to be far more attractive and equitable than it previously was.

The New York Times

In the current climate of concern, funding of children's services is more likely to be protected by local authorities than it previously was.

The Guardian

Cameron continued to stand firmly behind Hunt, insisting that the culture secretary acted "impartially" from the moment he took charge of handling the decision in December 2010 and that what he had said about it previously was not relevant.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It is mainstream where it had previously been marginalized".

The New York Times - Health

It had previously been sold to developers who were threatening to subdivide it.

The Guardian

Neither its existence nor Dr. Hatfill's work on it has previously been disclosed publicly.

The New York Times

(It had previously been awarded to such men as Bertrand Russell and Julian Huxley).

The New Yorker

It had previously been on a cruise to Iceland.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it previously was" to clearly indicate a change from a past state, providing context for how things have evolved. For example, 'The software was only available on desktop; it previously was not compatible with mobile devices.'

Common error

Avoid using 'previously' with the present tense. 'Previously' refers to something in the past, so using it with a present-tense verb is grammatically incorrect. For example, don't say 'It previously is available'; instead, use 'It previously was available'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it previously was" functions as a transitional phrase, indicating a change or evolution from a past state. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it connects a current situation with a former one, providing context or historical background. It is often used to highlight contrasts or improvements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it previously was" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a past state or condition that has since changed. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and general explanations. When writing, ensure you use "it previously was" to highlight a shift from a former situation, and avoid using it with present tense verbs. Consider alternatives like "it formerly was" or "it used to be" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it formerly was

Replaces 'previously' with 'formerly', emphasizing a more distant past.

it was formerly

Reorders the words but maintains the same meaning and emphasis on a distant past.

it used to be

Emphasizes a habitual or continuous state in the past that is no longer true.

it had been

Focuses on a completed action or state before a specific point in time.

it once was

Highlights that something was true at some point in the past, without specifying when.

it earlier was

Indicates a slightly more immediate past compared to 'previously'.

it was once

Highlights a past state without specifying duration or frequency.

it had at one time been

Adds emphasis on a specific time in the past when something was true.

it in the past was

More descriptive and emphatic than "it previously was", adding a sense of duration.

before, it was

Inverts the sentence structure, emphasizing the contrast between the past and present states.

FAQs

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

Use "it previously was" to indicate a state or condition that existed at an earlier time but is no longer the case. For example, "The application was exclusive to iOS; it previously was unavailable on Android."

What are some alternatives to saying "it previously was"?

You can use alternatives like "it formerly was", "it used to be", or "it had been" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it previously is" instead of "it previously was"?

No, "it previously is" is grammatically incorrect. "Previously" indicates a past state, so it should be paired with a past tense verb like "was". Therefore, "it previously was" is the correct form.

What is the difference between "it previously was" and "it originally was"?

"It previously was" indicates a state that existed before a recent change. "It originally was" signifies the initial state or condition from the very beginning. The subtle difference depends on the context of the sentence.