previously existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was present or in existence at an earlier time. Example: "The ancient ruins are a testament to a civilization that previously existed in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

People who would have previously existed within confused and parochial lives can be comforted by echoes of their existence.

Vice

They couldn't have previously existed.

The New York Times

They involve adding bits of tissue where none previously existed.

The Economist

"Casino jobs are new jobs created where none previously existed," said Mr. Brown.

The New York Times

But the paramount desire was to make an architecture that had not previously existed.

The Guardian - Arts

Both plans call for more than twice the retail space that previously existed.

The New York Times

On the contrary, he has destroyed most of the goodwill that previously existed.

The Guardian - Business

But an inventor, it is said, creates something that had never previously existed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Navalny, even skeptics admit, managed to knit together a crowd that had not previously existed.

The New York Times

No such similar wildlife conservation organisation covering both the business and political spheres has previously existed.

Independent

This means that the views that previously existed in insular communities now also exist in the blogosphere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously existed", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject existed as or in relation to. For instance, "The building previously existed as a warehouse" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "previously existed" in contexts where the past tense already implies prior existence. For example, instead of saying "The artifact previously existed in the museum's collection before it was stolen", say "The artifact existed in the museum's collection before it was stolen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously existed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being in the past. Ludwig examples show it often describes entities, conditions, or systems that were present at an earlier time but are no longer so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Vice

4%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously existed" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote something that was present or in effect at an earlier time. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across varied contexts, notably in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries. Common synonyms include ""formerly existed"" and "used to exist". When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject's past state and avoid redundant time references. Recognized as correct by Ludwig AI, "previously existed" remains a valuable asset for communicating historical context and temporal shifts in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly existed

Substitutes "previously" with "formerly", which has the same meaning.

pre-existed

Combines "pre-" and "existed" for a more concise expression.

existed before

Reorders the words, keeping the meaning nearly identical.

had existed

Emphasizes the completeness of the past existence.

existed in the past

Adds more detail by explicitly stating "in the past".

used to exist

Emphasizes the past existence and potential cessation.

was in existence

Rephrases the idea using "was in existence" instead of "existed".

once was

Replaces "previously existed" with a simpler and more concise expression.

beforehand existed

Changes the order and replaces "previously" with "beforehand" to emphasize the temporal aspect.

happened earlier

Focuses on the action of happening at an earlier time, implying existence.

FAQs

What does "previously existed" mean?

The phrase "previously existed" means that something was present or in existence at an earlier time. It indicates a state that is no longer current.

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

You can use "previously existed" to describe a condition, object, or system that was present before. For example, "The organization "formerly existed" as a small community group before expanding nationally".

What are some alternatives to "previously existed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "once was", "existed before", or "used to exist", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "previously existed in the past"?

Yes, saying "previously existed in the past" is redundant. The word "previously" already implies that something existed in the past, so adding "in the past" is unnecessary.