previously been done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously been done" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an action or task that has already been completed at an earlier time. Example: "The research has previously been done by another team." Alternative expressions include "already been completed" and "done before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The F.D.A. could require safety and effectiveness tests that have not previously been done.

The New York Times

This has never previously been done by a democratically elected president in Argentina, and it seems to refute Macri's vow to uphold the country's "republican institutions".

The New Yorker

In June, Sylvia and Giddings and the rest of the team undertook to explore a vast graveyard of sunken ships in the forty-mile-wide lagoon, where little scientific work had previously been done.

The New Yorker

In the mid-80's, while chief of the surgical oncology unit at Columbia-Presbyterian, Dr. LoGerfo began to use local anesthesia in thyroid operations, which had previously been done under general anesthesia.

The New York Times

Subeditors had begun to take up the jobs that had previously been done in the composing room, but printers who did not opt for voluntary redundancy stayed on at the Guardian, using their production skills alongside the journalists.

The Guardian

During the good years, right into 2008, Hollywood did what any fat and happy industry would do: It piled up managers, larding the ranks with two and even three people in jobs that had previously been done by one.

The New York Times

They swept all before them with their superior management techniques, relentlessly internalising transactions that had previously been done by the market, and they continued to evolve and expand, adapting new forms to deal with new problems.

The Economist

The French government is considering extending internet powers in a way that has only previously been done in Iran and China, according to the document seen by French newspaper Le Monde.

Independent

This facilitated a more comprehensive evaluation of the spatial structure of SRTM error than has previously been done.

Remote Sensing of Environment

From literature searches, it appears that no work has previously been done on the free vibration of moderately thick skew plates with oblique internal line supports.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

These results are in general agreement with the small amount of prior work that has previously been done in this area.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously been done", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or task is being referred to and why its prior completion is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "previously been done" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would enhance clarity. Consider rephrasing for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously been done" functions as a past participle phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase or as an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that an action has been completed before a specific point in time. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously been done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that an action or task has been completed before. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide array of contexts. While highly versatile, it's important to maintain clarity and avoid overly complex sentence structures. As Ludwig's examples suggest, this phrase is particularly common in scientific writing, news reporting, and general explanations, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already completed

Emphasizes the state of completion without necessarily specifying when it was done.

previously completed

Similar to "already completed" but retains the temporal reference of "previously".

done before

A simpler, more informal way of saying something was done at an earlier time.

formerly executed

More formal and emphasizes the act of execution.

previously actioned

Focuses on the act of taking action on something.

already in effect

Implies that something was not only done, but also actively in use before.

antecedently performed

Formal and emphasizes the performance of an action in the past.

priorly effected

Focuses on causing something to happen or bringing about a result at an earlier time.

heretofore accomplished

A more archaic and formal way to say something has been accomplished up to this point.

earlier realized

Suggests that something was brought into being or made real at an earlier time.

FAQs

How can I use "previously been done" in a sentence?

You can use "previously been done" to indicate that an action or task has been completed before. For example, "This research has "previously been done" by another team".

What can I say instead of "previously been done"?

You can use alternatives like "already completed", "done before", or "previously completed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "previously been done" or "previously was done"?

"Previously been done" is generally more concise and grammatically sound when used as part of a larger clause or sentence. "Previously was done" can be correct in certain contexts, but "previously been done" is often preferred for its efficiency.

What's the difference between "previously been done" and "already done"?

"Previously been done" emphasizes the temporal aspect of having been completed at an earlier time, while "already done" simply indicates that something is completed. The choice depends on whether the prior completion needs to be emphasized.