previously done

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously done" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has already been completed or accomplished. For example, "She had previously done all the necessary paperwork before deciding to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is how I've previously done it".

The New York Times

Researchers had previously done each of these things by themselves.

MIT Technology Review

He had previously done work for Kushner's family.

The Washington Post

The two companies have previously done business together.

The New York Times

That being said, it should not be one on which you have previously done research.

Columbia University

"For decades, computers have been taking over tasks previously done by humans.

University of California, Berkeley

Kroll confirmed last night that it had previously done work for the Kenyan government.

The Guardian

It stops cities expanding, which had previously done so for centuries.

The Guardian

It also combined the inspections of child protection, care and adoption and fostering, previously done separately.

The Guardian

He has previously done research in Berlin, Vienna, and at Princeton.

Harvard University

Unqualified staff took on tasks previously done by nurses, social workers and occupational therapists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously done" to clearly indicate that a task, action, or process has been completed before, providing context and avoiding repetition. For example, "As the experiment was "previously done", we can use those data for comparison".

Common error

Don't use "previously done" when the context already implies past completion. For example, avoid saying "the task that was "previously done"" when "the completed task" is sufficient. Be concise and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously done" functions as an adjectival modifier describing a task, action, or process that has been completed at an earlier time. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its utility in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating that something has been completed before. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appropriate for use across diverse writing contexts. While suitable alternatives exist, such as "already completed" or "done before", it's crucial to avoid redundancy by being mindful of the surrounding context. The phrase is particularly common in news, academic, and scientific sources, making it a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already completed

Focuses on the completion aspect, similar to "previously done".

previously accomplished

Emphasizes the achievement aspect, slightly more formal than "previously done".

done before

More informal and direct.

formerly executed

More formal and technical, suitable for reports or official documents.

earlier finished

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of being completed at an earlier time.

historically completed

Highlights the completion having a historical context.

pre-existing

Highlights the existence before the current point in time.

in the past carried out

More verbose, but emphasizes that the action took place at some unspecified time in the past.

antecedently performed

Formal and somewhat archaic.

priorly undertaken

Formal and emphasizes initiation and completion of an activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously done" to indicate that something has been completed or accomplished before. For instance, "The research had been "previously done" by another team."

What are some alternatives to "previously done"?

Consider using phrases such as "already completed", "done before", or "previously accomplished" depending on the formality and context.

Is it correct to say "previously done before"?

No, "previously done before" is redundant. "Previously" already implies that something was done before, so "before" is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "previously done" and "recently done"?

"Previously done" indicates that something was completed at an unspecified time in the past, while "recently done" implies that it was completed in the near past. The temporal context distinguishes the two phrases.