previously considered

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously considered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to something that has been thought of or discussed before. For example: "Previously considered an outdated technology, virtual reality has recently been making a comeback in the tech world."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

we hadn't previously considered.

Stanford University

What was previously considered unsociable is now "sociable".

The Guardian

Watkins had previously considered buying the Devil Rays.

The New York Times - Sports

Why were millions of people previously considered "normal" now overweight?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Want to do a number you've previously considered insane?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sleep is much more intelligent than we have previously considered.

University of California, Berkeley

H∞ was previously considered as not appropriate for this problem.

Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial RIAI

Lesions previously considered relatively inaccessible can now be safely biopsied.

Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Those dangers, the agency says, have even spread to areas previously considered relatively secure.

The New York Times

When Chaplin met Gross previously considered him brightest mind ever met.

The New Yorker

You might find a whole new strength or area of interest you had not previously considered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously considered" to introduce a contrast or a new understanding of a topic. It effectively sets up a comparison between past and present views.

Common error

Avoid using "previously considered" without specifying what the item was previously considered to be. The phrase requires a clear point of reference to make sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously considered" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle, indicating a state or condition resulting from a past action of considering. Ludwig provides numerous examples that showcase how this phrase introduces a shift in perspective or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously considered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively introduces a contrast between past and present perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various fields. It is particularly common in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure a clear context for the initial consideration and the subsequent shift in viewpoint. While alternatives exist, "previously considered" provides a clear and concise way to indicate a change in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had considered before

Changes the structure to a past perfect tense to emphasize the action of considering before a certain point.

previously entertained the idea of

Adds "the idea of" to specify that it was an idea that was considered, not necessarily acted upon.

formerly contemplated

Replaces "considered" with a more formal synonym "contemplated" and "previously" with "formerly".

earlier assessed

Uses "assessed" instead of "considered", implying a more formal evaluation or judgment.

earlier entertained

Substitutes "considered" with "entertained", suggesting a lighter form of consideration; "previously" changes to "earlier".

once deemed

Substitutes "considered" with "deemed", suggesting that something was officially or formally regarded in a certain way; replaces "previously" with "once".

at one time, weighed

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive alternative suggesting that something was evaluated or weighed as an option.

once envisioned

Uses "envisioned" instead of "considered", implying a more imaginative or forward-looking consideration; replaces "previously" with "once".

before given thought

Emphasizes the thought process involved in considering something, using a more descriptive phrase.

heretofore regarded

Employs the formal "heretofore" in place of "previously" and "regarded" instead of "considered".

FAQs

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

Use "previously considered" to describe something that was once thought of in a certain way, but is now viewed differently. For example, "The idea of remote work was "previously considered" impractical, but is now commonplace."

What are some alternatives to "previously considered"?

Alternatives include "formerly contemplated", "earlier entertained", or "once envisioned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "previously considered"?

While "considered" implies past thought, "previously" emphasizes a change in current perspective, thus it's not always redundant. The added emphasis can be valuable for highlighting shifts in viewpoint.

What's the difference between "previously considered" and "initially considered"?

"Previously considered" implies a change in opinion after some time, while "initially considered" simply means it was among the first things thought about. "Previously" highlights a contrast with a current view, whereas "initially" just indicates a starting point.