previously decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously decided" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was decided upon in a previous decision or discussion. For example, "We previously decided that the deadline for the project was next Monday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We find these sections instructive on this issue not previously decided by this Court.

Harvard University

In the Anglo-American legal system, legal analysis is based in part on legal precedents, previously decided cases.

Artificial Intelligence

Yet the United States previously decided not to monitor the civilian deaths inflicted by American forces.

The New York Times

He previously decided to drop out of the school's nursing program.

The New York Times

The commission had previously decided to withhold payment of more than €290 million because of Bulgaria's lack of progress.

The New York Times

The lorry would simply unload whatever story it had previously decided to unload, with a crash, and that was that.

The Guardian - Opinion

245, 28 L. R. A. 796, 32 S. W. 5, and as had been previously decided in respect of other limiting statutes therein mentioned.

Cornell University

Recognizing this underlying connection, we previously decided whether the Board could enjoin state court lawsuits by analogizing to the antitrust context.

Cornell University

That is part of what the court does is in the absence of a case previously decided that sets forth the test.

The Washington Post

The government previously decided that neither corporate profits nor productivity improvements were nearly as good as they appeared to be in 1999 and 2000.

The New York Times

The disclosure of ABC figures for both sites marks a change in tack from owner Richard Desmond, who had previously decided against the independent auditing of traffic figures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously decided" when you need to emphasize that a decision was made at an earlier time, often to justify a current action or explain a present state.

Common error

Avoid using "previously decided" in contexts where the decision is happening in the present. Ensure the tense of surrounding verbs aligns with the past nature of the decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously decided" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb, indicating that a decision has been made at an earlier point in time. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to set context by referencing a prior decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously decided" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate that a decision has been made at an earlier time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. It functions as an adverbial modifier, serving the purpose of providing context and explaining current actions based on prior decisions. While suitable for neutral to formal registers, writers should ensure that the tense aligns with the past nature of the decision. Alternatives include "already determined" and "decided beforehand", offering nuanced ways to express similar concepts. By understanding its function and usage, writers can effectively incorporate "previously decided" to enhance clarity and coherence in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decided beforehand

Highlights the temporal aspect of making the decision before a specific event or time.

already determined

Focuses on the conclusion being set, less about the act of deciding.

already concluded

Focuses on the decision being finished or brought to an end.

previously agreed upon

Emphasizes mutual consent or agreement in the prior decision.

earlier resolved

Highlights the solving or settling aspect of the prior decision.

formally decreed

Suggests a formal or official declaration of the decision.

previously settled

Implies the decision is finalized and no longer open for debate.

pre-established

Focuses on the decision being set in advance or as a standard.

historically decided

Emphasizes the decision's place in the past and its historical relevance.

pre-ordained

Implies a decision that was determined in advance by a higher power or authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously decided" to indicate that a decision has already been made at an earlier time. For example, "The company had "previously decided" to focus on freeway driving".

What's a formal alternative to "previously decided"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "already determined", or "previously agreed upon" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "previously decided" the same as "decided beforehand"?

While similar, "previously decided" emphasizes the act of making a decision at an earlier point, while "decided beforehand" simply focuses on the decision being made before a certain event or time.

When is it appropriate to use "previously decided" in writing?

Use "previously decided" when you want to explicitly state that a decision was made in the past and that it has relevance or impact on the current situation or discussion. For example, "The board has "previously decided" that the terms of the loan offer were not acceptable".