previous tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous tried" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "previously tried"? You can use "previously tried" when referring to something that has been attempted or tested before the current context. Example: "I have previously tried this method, but it did not yield the desired results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since enrollment of the PREEMPT 1 and 2 required that prophylactic medication was not taken 28 days prior to the baseline data collection, it is likely to assume that those enrolled had none or only a modest effect of previous tried prophylactic medications.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He'd failed on five previous tries.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shabalov's 16... Qc8 was new, but no improvement over 16... Bb6, the previous try in that position.

The New York Times

It abandoned a previous try in 2004 when it failed to win sufficient support.

The New York Times

The measure had failed in two previous tries, last year by just two votes.

The New York Times - Sports

So, after three previous tries at the trans-Atlantic record, Fossett was understandably pleased.

The New York Times - Sports

His best finish at the Masters in sixth previous tries was a tie for 17th place in 1997.

The New York Times - Sports

Though he has not won a prize there in three previous tries, he is optimistic about his chances this year.

The New York Times

After losing in his two previous tries at the world championships, Krzyzewski appeared emotional after the victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Golisano's 14percentt of the vote on Tuesday was his best showing; he never won more than 8percentt in his two previous tries, in 1998 and 1994.

The New York Times

After never having won a postseason series in five previous tries with the Pirates and the Giants, Bonds is assaulting his first World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously tried" instead of "previous tried" for grammatical correctness. "Previously" correctly modifies the verb "tried", indicating the action happened before.

Common error

Avoid using adjectives where adverbs are needed. Using "previous" instead of "previously" to modify a verb is a common grammatical error. Remember that adverbs often describe verbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous tried" attempts to function as a modifier describing a past attempt or action. However, this usage is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "previously tried", where "previously" acts as an adverb modifying the verb "tried".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "previous tried" is understandable, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "previously tried", where "previously" is an adverb modifying the verb. As Ludwig AI pointed out, using the adjective "previous" to modify the past participle "tried" is inaccurate. Always prefer "previously tried" or other alternatives like "formerly tried" and "tried before" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. Remember to use adverbs to modify verbs to ensure correct and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously attempted

Emphasizes the act of attempting something at an earlier time; more grammatically correct than "previous tried".

formerly tried

Indicates something was tried at an earlier time, with a focus on the past nature of the attempt.

tried before

A simple and direct way to express that something has been tried in the past.

already attempted

Highlights that an attempt has been made at some unspecified point in the past.

previously tested

Focuses on the aspect of testing something in the past, implying an evaluation or experiment.

tried in the past

Clearly indicates that the attempt occurred at some point in the past.

earlier attempted

Similar to 'previously attempted' but with a slightly less formal tone.

prior attempt

Uses a noun phrase to refer to a previous attempt, altering the grammatical structure.

past effort

Refers to an effort made in the past, changing the verb to a noun.

preceding try

Highlights that this try happened before a different one. A more formal alternative to "previous tried".

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "previous tried"?

The correct phrasing is "previously tried". The adverb "previously" should be used to modify the verb "tried".

When should I use "previously tried"?

Use "previously tried" when you want to indicate that something has been attempted or tested before the current context. For instance, "We previously tried this approach without success".

What are some alternatives to "previously tried"?

Alternatives include "formerly tried", "tried before", or "already attempted". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "previous tried" ever correct in English?

No, "previous tried" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The adverb "previously" is required to properly modify the verb "tried". The adjective "previous" can only modify a noun.