previously however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously however" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a contrast or a change in direction from something mentioned earlier, but the combination is awkward and redundant. Example: "The project was initially successful; however, previously, there were significant challenges that needed to be addressed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previously, however, instances of poor health near nuclear plants have been recorded.

The New York Times

The weekend previously, however, when the Sunday Mirror introduced its price rise, its circulation is understood to have been about level compared to the week before.

The Guardian

Previously, however, officials have cited general financial strains stemming from the sexual abuse scandal and a resulting decline in contributions from churchgoers.

The New York Times

Previously, however, the traditional Korean t'aegŭk flag of white with a central red-blue disk and four sets of black bars was official in North Korea.

Britannica

The deflection free (110) cleavage up to 3700 m/s in this work contradicts what has been reported previously; however, only observed under 3-line bending condition11, 16.

Nature

Previously, however, it appeared in the constellation Capricornus at the winter solstice, hence the name Tropic of Capricorn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Strain-differences in the behavioral response of adult Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) were reported previously, however, there have been few studies of larval fish behavior under microgravity.

Advances in Space Research

The enthalpy of hydride formation and hydride decomposition is in agreement with the data reported previously; however, the present data are measured directly at room temperature.

Acta Materialia

(As has been pointed out previously, however, Rey does not join the Rebel Alliance, which featured in the original trilogy, but a successor group referred to as the Resistance).

The Guardian - Film

Previously, however, the Kremlin said it had agreed to deliver the S-300s to Syria before the civil war erupted, and added that the S-300s could help reduce tensions by deterring what it called "foreign interference".

The Guardian

The ABS data also found that one quarter of all people in prison were unsentenced, and three in five had been in prison previously, however that figure rose to four in five among Indigenous people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "previously however" due to its redundant nature; choose either "previously" or "however" depending on the context to improve clarity.

Common error

Refrain from using "previously however" in formal writing as it can make your text sound awkward. Opt for more concise alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously however" functions as a transitional phrase to introduce a contrast or qualification to a statement that has already been made. While it aims to connect ideas, it's often seen as redundant, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "previously however" appears frequently in diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia, Ludwig AI points out that it's grammatically awkward and redundant. Expert analysis suggests that it diminishes clarity and conciseness. For improved writing, it's advisable to opt for more streamlined alternatives like "previously, though" or simply using "previously" or "however" independently. This approach enhances both formality and readability, making your writing more effective and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously, though

Replaces "however" with "though", which provides a slightly less formal tone while maintaining the contrast.

previously, nevertheless

Substitutes "however" with "nevertheless", offering a stronger sense of contrast or contradiction.

earlier, however

Replaces "previously" with "earlier" to provide a more direct indication of time while retaining the contrasting function of "however".

before, however

Uses "before" instead of "previously", offering a slightly simpler and more direct way to indicate sequence in time, while maintaining the contrast.

in the past, however

Replaces "previously" with the phrase "in the past", which emphasizes the time element more explicitly.

that being said

This option removes the explicit time reference and focuses solely on introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement.

having said that

Functions similarly to "that being said", shifting focus to a contrasting point without direct temporal reference.

on the other hand

Presents a contrasting perspective, omitting the temporal aspect.

conversely

Provides a direct contrast without referencing time.

yet

A concise way to introduce a contrasting element, suitable for more informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "previously however" in a sentence correctly?

While grammatically questionable, "previously however" is often used to indicate a contrast to something mentioned earlier. Consider alternatives like "previously, though" for better clarity.

What's a more concise way to say "previously however"?

You can replace "previously however" with either just "previously" or "however" depending on whether you want to emphasize the time element or the contrast.

Is there a difference in meaning between "previously however" and "earlier, however"?

The phrase "earlier, however" is slightly more direct in its temporal reference than "previously however", but both aim to introduce a contrasting point to a prior statement. The key difference is conciseness; using just "earlier" or "however" can often suffice.

When should I avoid using "previously however"?

It's best to avoid "previously however" in formal writing or when aiming for maximum clarity. It's considered redundant and can be easily replaced with more streamlined alternatives to improve readability.