previously holding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously holding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a position or role that someone occupied before the current one. Example: "She has extensive experience in management, previously holding the position of director at a major corporation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Accelerator colliding protons at energies of 7 TeV each, to be installed in the tunnel previously holding LEP.

Nature

Hogan is Maryland's first governor in modern history to win the job without previously holding elected office.

The Washington Post

As part of his promotion, Grunwald was also named the team's executive vice president after previously holding the title of senior vice president.

The New York Times - Sports

He was President and CEO of Glendinning Companies from 1975 to 1985, previously holding positions including Managing Director of International Operations and President of U.S. Operations, beginning the relationship as a founding member in 1963.

The New York Times

Each shift produces apostates who can be purged on the basis of previously holding positions that have now been revealed as incorrect, and this provides opportunities for advancement to lower-ranking members.

The Economist

Baz Luhrmann's giant-scale film was released in May 2013 and Mulligan then spent the autumn of that year filming Far From the Madding Crowd for the director Thomas Vinterberg – after previously holding out against returning to the British-set period movie.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Was this money previously held in Blairmore Holdings or any other offshore entity?

The Guardian

Services were previously held.

The New York Times

It confirmed their previously held beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

He previously held the job in Montreal and Florida.

The New York Times - Sports

Tampa has previously held the Super Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously holding" to clearly indicate that a person or entity had a particular position or responsibility before the current one. It adds clarity when describing career progression or changes in responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "previously holding" when you mean to describe the current role. If the person is currently in the role, use "currently holding" or "holds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously holding" functions as a present participle phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a prior state or condition of possessing a role, position, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously holding" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something held a position or responsibility in the past. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various domains. Its communicative purpose is to give background information or context, and it frequently appears in news articles, academic papers, and professional settings. Alternatives such as "formerly held" or "previously occupied" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid using it to describe current roles; use "currently holding" instead. The phrase is a common and acceptable way to describe past positions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly held

Focuses on the past occupancy of a position or title.

used to hold

Expresses a past habit or state of holding something.

had previously occupied

Emphasizes prior occupation or residence in a place or position.

formerly in charge of

Highlights previous responsibility or leadership.

once possessed

Highlights a past state of ownership or control.

previously maintained

Stresses the prior upkeep or continuation of something.

historically possessed

Emphasizes the historical aspect of ownership or control.

earlier administered

Refers to the past management or governance of something.

before having

Indicates a sequence where possession or holding came before the current state.

had in the past

General reference to past possession or experience.

FAQs

How to use "previously holding" in a sentence?

Use "previously holding" to describe a role or position someone had before their current one. For example, "She was promoted to CEO after previously holding the position of CFO".

What can I say instead of "previously holding"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly held", "previously occupied", or "once possessed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "previously holding" or "former holder of"?

"Previously holding" is a verb phrase describing the action of holding a position in the past, while "former holder of" is a noun phrase referring to someone who held a position in the past. Choose the phrase that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "previously holding" and "currently holding"?

"Previously holding" refers to a role someone had in the past, while "currently holding" describes their present role. For example, "He was previously holding the position of manager, but is now currently holding the position of director".