previously bestowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously bestowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been given or granted in the past, often in a formal or ceremonial context. Example: "The award was a recognition of the contributions he had previously bestowed upon the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The prize, given every few years on Aug. 28, the poet's birthday, was previously bestowed on German-speaking intellectual icons like Thomas Mann and Sigmund Freud.

The New York Times - Books

Sharp has been a generous benefactor to his alma mater, having previously bestowed a fellowship courtesy of the Trafigura Foundation, the company's charitable arm.

The Guardian

This year, for the second time in five years, the prize has gone to an Englishwoman, with Emily Scarratt picking up the honour previously bestowed on Maggie Alphonsi.

The Guardian - Sport

In protest of her inaction regarding the plight of the Rohingya, several organizations revoked human rights-related honours and awards previously bestowed upon her.

Britannica

In 1911, "Moving Picture Mary" was the first movie star to adorn the cover of the New York Dramatic Mirror, an honor previously bestowed only on theatrical stars.

Columbia University

The Rotters' Club author Jonathan Coe has been declared France's "favourite British author", in a prestigious honour from the French government previously bestowed on authors such as TS Eliot and Seamus Heaney.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The award had previously been bestowed on the first day of previews.

The New York Times

In May 2011 Assange was awarded the Sydney Peace Foundation's gold medal, an honour that had previously been bestowed on Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama, for his "exceptional courage in pursuit of human rights".

Encyclopedia Britannica

But worst of all was the unabashed attention that colleagues, both known and previously unknown, bestowed on her abdomen.

Science Magazine

All three of the aforementioned locals had previously been bestowed All-Frontier Conference honors, after playing vital rolls in the Raiders earning a share of the conference crown.

Los Angeles Times

Upon the kinsmen of those previously executed he bestowed all their funds that were still to be found in the public treasury.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing honors or awards, use "previously bestowed" to clearly indicate that the honor was given at an earlier point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "previously bestowed" when referring to an action that is currently happening. This phrase is specific to past events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "previously bestowed" is to act as a past participle phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something was given or conferred at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously bestowed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used past participle phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct for indicating that something has been formally granted or given in the past, especially honors or awards. It's frequently found in news articles, academic texts, and encyclopedias, demonstrating a neutral to formal register. When writing, be sure to use it to specifically refer to past events and avoid using it in the context of something currently happening. Consider alternative phrases like "formerly granted" or "earlier conferred" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly granted

Replaces "bestowed" with "granted" and "previously" with "formerly", focusing on the act of giving.

earlier conferred

Substitutes "bestowed" with "conferred", which also means to grant or bestow, and "previously" with "earlier".

previously awarded

Replaces "bestowed" with "awarded", highlighting the act of giving an honor or prize.

previously conferred upon

Adds "upon" to emphasize the recipient, while retaining similar meaning.

formerly awarded to

Combines "formerly" and "awarded to" to express a past conferral.

previously granted to

Uses "granted to" to emphasize permission or authorization given in the past.

previously given

Uses simpler language with "given" in place of "bestowed".

earlier bestowed upon

Swaps "previously" with "earlier" and adds "upon" for recipient focus.

already given

Emphasizes the completion of giving something at a prior time using "already".

conferred in the past

Rephrases using a passive construction to emphasize the timing of the conferral.

FAQs

What does "previously bestowed" mean?

The phrase "previously bestowed" means something that has been formally given or granted in the past. It's often used in the context of honors, awards, or titles.

How can I use "previously bestowed" in a sentence?

You can use "previously bestowed" to describe an honor or title that someone received earlier. For example: "The award was a recognition of the contributions he had "previously bestowed" upon the community."

What are some alternatives to "previously bestowed"?

Alternatives to "previously bestowed" include "formerly granted", "earlier conferred", or "previously awarded". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "previously bestown"?

No, the correct past participle of "bestow" is "bestowed", not "bestown". Therefore, "previously bestown" is grammatically incorrect; you should always use "previously bestowed".