precisely as before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precisely as before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being done in the exact same manner as it was previously. Example: "The procedure will be followed precisely as before to ensure consistency in results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The song repeats a third time, precisely as before, with all the peaks and valleys.

The Guardian - Books

By tracking the system's evolution, Ransom and colleagues should be able to tell whether either the inner white dwarf or the pulsar falls faster toward the outer white dwarf and test strong equivalence about 100 times as precisely as before, Damour says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sixteen, just as before.

The New Yorker

Proteasomal, lysosomal and autophagy-dependent proteolysis rates were determined precisely as done before by treating cells with 1 μ m bortezomib/velcade, 50 µ m chloroquine or 10 m m 3MA, respectively.

Human Molecular Genetics

In P. falciparum, PK7 is important for mosquito transmission (Dorin-Semblat et al., 2008), and our data from P. berghei now define its critical function more precisely as being before ookinete formation.

Cell Host and Microbe

"I remember going to a station picnic the Saturday before the Indy 500, and thinking to myself the whole time, Please, please let me get out of here without anyone saying, 'Hey, what happened to your blushing?' " It was, she found, precisely the same embarrassment as before, only now it stemmed not from blushing but from its absence.

The New Yorker

Never mind that every economic indicator is beginning to read precisely as it did before the global financial crisis, as Cunliffe warns.

The Guardian - Opinion

He chose the restaurant, which opened in 1979, in part because it had been gutted and rebuilt to look precisely as it did before Hurricane Katrina and because it serves classic New Orleans food like barbecued shrimp and bread pudding.

The New York Times - Food

News of Italy's disastrous campaign for its own union unfolded before the world precisely as the United States passed through the perilous autumn of 1862.

The New York Times

The broad expression of support for Mr. Lazio -- he is doing almost precisely as well as Mr. Giuliani did before he dropped out -- came notwithstanding the fact that more than half of New Yorkers said they did not know enough about him to offer an opinion about the Republican candidate for Senate.

The New York Times

In the other major cockling areas, therefore, cockles are picked precisely as they were in the nineteenth century and before - by hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precisely as before" to emphasize the importance of maintaining exact consistency, especially in fields like science, engineering, or law where precision matters.

Common error

While "precisely as before" can be effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "exactly as previously" or "just like before" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precisely as before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is being carried out in the exact same way it was previously. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "precisely as before" is used to indicate that an action or state is being replicated exactly as it occurred previously. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, though it is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its register ranges from neutral to formal. If exact replication is crucial, use "precisely as before"; otherwise, consider alternatives like "exactly as previously" or "just like before" for more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly as previously

Replaces 'before' with 'previously' for a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the temporal aspect.

just like before

Uses simpler language for a more informal and direct expression of similarity.

identically to how it was

Focuses on the sameness of the situation, adding more detail about the manner of similarity.

in the same manner as before

Emphasizes the method or way something is done, maintaining a formal tone.

as it was formerly

Highlights a previous state or condition, replacing 'before' with 'formerly' to stress a past condition.

as in the prior instance

Uses more technical or legalistic language to refer to a previous occurrence.

in the same fashion as previously

Similar to 'in the same manner', but replaces 'manner' with 'fashion' for a slightly different nuance.

as it used to be

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on a past condition without necessarily implying precise duplication.

reproducing the earlier state

Emphasizes the act of replication, particularly relevant when describing a return to a previous condition or setup.

mirroring the initial approach

Suggests a close and careful duplication of an earlier method or strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "precisely as before" in a sentence?

You can use "precisely as before" to indicate that something is being done in the exact same way it was done previously. For example, "The experiment was conducted "precisely as before" to ensure the results were comparable."

What's a more informal way to say "precisely as before"?

A more informal way to say "precisely as before" is "just like before". This alternative maintains the meaning but uses simpler language.

Is "precisely as before" always necessary, or can I use a shorter phrase?

Whether "precisely as before" is necessary depends on the context. If the exactness of the repetition is crucial, then it is appropriate. Otherwise, shorter phrases like "as before" or "previously" may suffice.

What is the difference between "precisely as before" and "exactly as before"?

The difference between "precisely as before" and "exactly as before" is minimal. Both emphasize that something is being done in the same manner, but "precisely" may imply a higher degree of accuracy or attention to detail.