previously dated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously dated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone you have had a romantic relationship with in the past. Example: "She mentioned that she had previously dated someone from her college years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He previously dated Olivia Poulet for 12 years and then dated fashion designer Anna Jones, although they split in 2012.

Independent

Personal life Has previously dated Bjork, Naomi Campbell and was married to model Sonjia Ashby.

The Guardian - Books

She had previously dated only Dutch men, and found him exotic.

The New York Times

A second Neanderthal baby, found in a lower layer in the cave, was previously dated back 29,000 years.

The New York Times - Science

In an interview with Rolling Stone published last week, Williams appears to criticise Sharapova and her boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian player rumoured to have previously dated Williams.

The Guardian - Sport

Donnelly, who first found fame with McPartlin in teenage drama Byker Grove, has previously dated the actor Clare Buckfield and the TV presenter Georgie Thompson.

The Guardian

Now married to Johnny Depp (why?), Heard is an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights and is bisexual, having previously dated photographer Tasya van Ree.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She is as far removed as some of the girls he has previously dated and possesses incredible intelligence that bodes well if she ever does become First Lady.

Independent

However, the 36-year-old heartthrob - who previously dated actress Renee Zellweger - explained in his opinion the accolade should have been handed to 'The Notebook' hunk Ryan Gosling.

Independent

Morgan's sensational line of questioning also suggested that Mock had misled a number of people she'd previously dated about her gender identity.

Independent

Buble had previously dated British actress Emily Blunt, known for her roles in The Young Victoria and The Devil Wears Prada.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously dated" when you want to clearly and concisely indicate that someone had a romantic relationship with another person in the past. It's suitable for news articles, biographies, and general writing where clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "previously dated" when you want to convey that the dating relationship was very short or insignificant. In such cases, using a term like "briefly dated" would be more appropriate to reflect the limited duration or impact of the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously dated" functions as a past participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a prior romantic relationship. Ludwig confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously dated" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a past romantic relationship. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news articles and general writing to provide context about individuals' relationship histories. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to choose more specific alternatives like "briefly dated" if the relationship was short-lived. Given its widespread usage and clear meaning, "previously dated" remains a reliable choice for expressing past romantic connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to date

Changes the structure while maintaining the same meaning.

formerly dated

Replaces "previously" with "formerly", a synonym with a slightly more formal tone.

once dated

Substitutes "previously" with "once", indicating a past relationship.

had a relationship with

Offers a more general and neutral way to describe the past connection.

was romantically involved with

A more descriptive and formal alternative.

dated in the past

Adds "in the past" for emphasis on the time frame.

used to be together

A more conversational and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

were an item

An informal idiom indicating a past romantic relationship.

were once a couple

Specifies the relationship type while using "once" to denote the past.

shared a romance

Highlights the romantic aspect of the past relationship.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "previously dated"?

You can use alternatives like "used to date", "formerly dated", or "had a relationship with" depending on the context.

Is "previously dated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "previously dated" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that someone had a romantic relationship with another person in the past.

When should I use "previously dated"?

Use "previously dated" when you want to clearly and concisely indicate a past romantic relationship, especially in news articles, biographies, or general writing where clarity is essential.

What is a more formal alternative to "previously dated"?

A more formal alternative to "previously dated" is "was romantically involved with". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic writing.