not previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not previously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not happened or been done before a certain point in time or context. Example: "The results of the experiment were not previously documented in any scientific literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were not previously deceived.

The New York Times

Several were not previously active in politics.

The New York Times

It had not previously been made public.

The New York Times

Many had not previously engaged in politics.

The Economist

The price was not previously disclosed.

The New York Times

He was not previously known to police.

The Guardian

These features were not previously known.

The Guardian

Such measures did not previously exist.

The Guardian

The purchase prices were not previously disclosed.

The New York Times

The association had not previously advertised.

The New York Times

This implies change at levels not previously seen.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not previously" to clearly indicate that something is being introduced or discovered for the first time in a specific context. This adds emphasis and clarifies the novelty of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "not previously" when the context already implies that something is new or has not occurred before. Redundancy can weaken the impact of your writing. For example, instead of saying "the not previously unseen phenomenon", just say "the previously unseen phenomenon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not previously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate that something has not occurred or been known before. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not previously" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating novelty or a lack of prior occurrence. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, its function is to highlight new information or discoveries. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as ""never before"" and ""until now"" offer similar meanings. As a tip, be mindful to not be redundant. This analysis offers a full usage guide on the phrase, from semantic and usage contexts, to common mistakes to prevent and expert validated writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never before

Emphasizes that something has never happened up to the present moment.

for the first time

Indicates the initial occurrence of an event or existence of something.

prior to this

Indicates a time before the current one, suggesting something didn't exist or occur before that point.

until now

Highlights that something is happening for the first time in the present.

up to this point

Implies a change or realization that has occurred at the present time.

heretofore

A more formal way of saying "before this time".

not until now

Similar to 'until now', but with added emphasis.

in the past

General reference to earlier times, implying the absence of something before.

formerly not

Highlights the change from a state where something was absent to the current state.

newly

Focuses on the recent or current occurrence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "not previously" in a sentence?

You can use "not previously" to indicate that something has not happened or been known before a certain point in time. For example, "This result was "not previously reported"".

What are some alternatives to "not previously"?

Some alternatives include "never before", "prior to this", or "until now". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "not previously known"?

Yes, "not previously known" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that has just been discovered or revealed.

What's the difference between "not previously" and "never before"?

"Not previously" is generally used to emphasize that something wasn't known or didn't occur before a specific context. "Never before" emphasizes that something has never happened at any time in the past. While similar, their emphasis differs.