much previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much previously" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is unclear and awkward, and it does not convey a clear meaning in standard English usage. Example: "The event was much previously scheduled, but it was postponed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Federal investigators say a crucial part of their task now is assembling a more thorough history of Al Qaeda and a more complete picture of earlier attacks, including much previously undisclosed information about possible links between events that happened many years ago and Sept. 11.

The New York Times

Among the many finds are Ruth Waldman, an artist from New York City who has not shown much previously (she heard about the exhibition and sent the curators her slides), and Juan Gomez, who makes Picasso-esque drawings infused with reference to Maya sculpture.

The New York Times

Over the next several weeks, Ayman and Enas took to voraciously consuming newspapers — neither had followed the news much previously — rehashing the paper's most alarming details to each other: the police were in disarray, jailbreaks were abundant, hospitals were being robbed.

The New York Times - Magazine

While this new species subterranean lifestyle could hopefully protect it from some of the growing threats surface habitats are encountering, this new type of species description also provides an example of how much previously uncharacterized information on its behavior, internal structure, physiology and genetic make-up can be preserved for future generations.

GigaScience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Recommendations Much more previously developed land should be used and the proportion of greenfield development minimised.

The Guardian

Consumer purchases are expected to pick up in the second half of the year, but not as much as previously projected.

The New York Times

But at least Mr. Romney is taking a risk, something his cautious campaign had not been doing much of previously.

The New York Times

WHAT: 4,530-square-foot building HOW MUCH: $129,000 Previously used by a Roman Catholic parish, this stucco building dates to 1955.

The New York Times - Travel

The broadcasting company Granada reported its first year-end profit since 2000, and said that its merger with Carlton Communications would save almost twice as much as previously reported.

The New York Times

The Japanese electronics company, Hitachi, said it expected to lose 480 billion yen ($3.6 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, more than twice as much as previously forecast.

The New York Times

Sales climbed 0.7percentt after gaining 0.4percentt in June, which was twice as much as previously reported, the Office for National Statistics said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "much previously" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "long before" or "significantly earlier".

Common error

Using "much previously" can make your writing sound unnatural and difficult to understand. Choose more common and direct wording to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much previously" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to specify the extent to which something occurred before. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is not grammatically correct and suggests alternative expressions for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "much previously" appears in some sources, it is generally considered grammatically awkward and not recommended for clear and effective communication. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not correct and suggests using alternatives like "long before", "significantly earlier", or "a long time ago". Although it may be found in both news and scientific contexts, its infrequent and questionable grammatical status makes it a less desirable choice. Opting for clearer, more conventional phrases will improve the readability and impact of your writing. Use alternatives like long before, "much earlier" or "considerably earlier" to ensure you are communicating your idea effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much earlier

Similar to the query, but grammatically sound and more commonly used.

a long time ago

Simplifies the phrase to a common expression of past time.

long before

Replaces "much previously" with a simpler, more common way to indicate something happened a significant time ago.

well before

Similar to "long before", but can emphasize preparation or anticipation.

considerably earlier

More formal, emphasizes a significant difference in time.

some time ago

General way of indicating that something occurred in the past.

significantly prior

Highlights a marked difference in precedence; best in formal contexts.

a good while back

Suggests the event occurred a noticeable amount of time ago, informally.

in the distant past

Emphasizes the remoteness of the time being referred to.

way back when

Informal way to refer to a time far in the past.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "much previously"?

You can use alternatives like "long before", "significantly earlier", or "a long time ago" depending on the context.

Is the phrase "much previously" grammatically correct?

While it appears in some publications, "much previously" is generally considered grammatically awkward and not the best choice for clear writing. There are better alternatives available.

How can I make my writing sound more natural when referring to something in the past?

Instead of "much previously", consider using phrases like "in the past", "previously" or "beforehand" for a more natural flow.

When is it appropriate to use "much previously"?

It's generally better to avoid "much previously" altogether in favor of clearer and more conventional phrasing. However, in very specific contexts where you want to emphasize the 'much' element of 'before', it might be acceptable, though still not ideal.