previously given to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously given to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was provided or assigned to someone at an earlier time. Example: "The documents were previously given to the committee for review before the final decision was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

After the hearing, the department released a report dated Nov. 3 that it had previously given to union leaders.

The New York Times

And, depending on the thought you have previously given to your dog's emotional makeup, you might conceivably learn something yourself.

The New York Times

When Morgan, Sr., took the stand, aspects of his testimony contradicted the statement that he had previously given to police.

The New Yorker

The sentence was "more severe than many observers expected, and is much longer than any punishment previously given to a US government leaker," the Guardian's Paul Lewis writes.

The Guardian

He said he had seen no "direct evidence" that assurances previously given to the committee by the publisher on the matter had been untrue.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, oil firms including BP, Shell, Statoil and ConocoPhillips have been awarded licences to operate in the region to join those previously given to ExxonMobil and Cairn Energy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He previously gave to Hastings and Rye Conservative Association and appeared in the Sunday Times Rich List with a personal fortune of £200m.

The Guardian

"These concerns," Ms. Germano wrote, "have caused Mr. Franklin to back off previously given statements to federal agents and to the grand jury in this matter".

The New York Times

Decimalization - pricing stocks in cents rather than fractions - took profits out of trading that had previously given incentive to brokers to list small companies.

The New York Times

The summit gave chronic disease the same level of attention that had previously been given to H.I.V. and AIDS.

The New York Times

(The committee had previously given $500,000 to the state's Democratic Party to help pay for the campaign's field offices, among other things).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously given to", ensure the context clearly establishes what was given and to whom. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "previously given to" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The award was previously given to her", consider "She previously received the award".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously given to" functions as a past participle phrase typically used in the passive voice. It modifies a noun by indicating that something was provided or assigned at an earlier time. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously given to" is a versatile past participle phrase frequently employed to provide context by indicating that something was provided or assigned at an earlier time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most often in news, science and wiki contexts. To enhance clarity, it's important to ensure the context clearly establishes what was given and to whom, and prevent potential ambiguity by using active voice instead of passive constructions when a more direct style is desired. Considering alternatives like "formerly provided to" or "previously awarded to" can also help refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly provided to

Replaces "previously given" with "formerly provided", emphasizing a past act of supplying something.

previously awarded to

Specifies that something was granted or bestowed as a reward or honor.

previously allocated to

Indicates that resources or items were assigned for a specific purpose in the past.

formerly assigned to

Focuses on the act of assigning or designating something to someone or something in the past.

earlier bestowed upon

Highlights the act of conferring something as a gift or honor at an earlier time.

previously entrusted to

Emphasizes the act of giving someone responsibility or care of something in the past.

formerly handed over to

Indicates a past transfer of possession or control.

previously transferred to

Focuses on the act of moving something from one person or place to another in the past.

earlier conferred upon

Similar to "bestowed upon", highlighting the granting of a title, degree, or right.

previously designated for

Indicates that something was specifically intended for a certain purpose or recipient.

FAQs

How can I use "previously given to" in a sentence?

You can use "previously given to" to indicate that something was provided or assigned to someone or something at an earlier time. For example: "The award was "previously given to" another candidate".

What are some alternatives to "previously given to"?

Some alternatives include "formerly provided to", "previously awarded to", or "formerly assigned to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "previously given to" and "formerly given to"?

While both phrases are similar, "formerly given to" might suggest a more distant or terminated association compared to "previously given to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "previously given to" or "previously gave to"?

"Previously given to" is the correct passive form, indicating something was received. "Previously gave to" implies an action of providing something, and requires a direct object, for example "He "previously gave to" charity".