previously it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past state or condition of something before a change occurred. Example: "Previously it was a small family-owned business, but now it has expanded into a large corporation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previously, "it was quiet, in every meaning of the term.

The Guardian

Previously, it was shown that TCDD mediates some of its activities through Nrf2 pathways27,28.

Nature

Previously, it was a man.

The Guardian

Previously it was a Windows-only browser.

The Guardian - Tech

Previously it was one to one.

The New York Times

Previously it was just a few months.

The Guardian

Previously it was forecasting about £614m.

The Guardian - Business

Previously it was the former Soviet Union, now it's America.

Columbia University

Previously it was necessary to use NMODL for reaction-diffusion.

Yale University

Previously it was in his backyard, in South Orange, N.J.

The New York Times - Arts

Previously, it was only on cbssports.com and ncaasports.com.com

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously it was" to clearly indicate a change or evolution over time. This helps to highlight the contrast between past and present states, providing context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "previously it was" when simply describing something in the past without implying a change. In such cases, use simple past tense or other appropriate phrasing to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously it was" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that a certain condition or state existed at an earlier point in time. Ludwig provides ample examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously it was" is a versatile and frequently used construction for indicating a change from a past state to a present one. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from formal academic papers to informal news reports. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure a clear temporal contrast to avoid ambiguity and enhance the clarity of your writing. Consider alternatives like "it used to be" or "formerly it was" for stylistic variation. The abundance of examples available through Ludwig further highlights the phrase's widespread applicability and contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it formerly was

Replaces "previously" with "formerly", emphasizing the past nature of the state.

it used to be

Employs a common idiom to indicate a past condition that no longer exists.

it had been

Uses the past perfect tense to highlight that the previous state occurred before another point in the past.

prior to this, it was

Adds a connector to explicitly state that what follows existed before the current situation.

in the past, it was

Introduces a more general timeframe, indicating that something was true at some point in the past.

before, it was

A more concise way to indicate a preceding state.

earlier, it was

Emphasizes that the prior state was relatively recent.

in earlier times, it was

Refers to a less specific, more distant past.

at one time, it was

Suggests that the prior state existed for a notable duration.

once it had been

Uses "once" to denote a time long ago.

FAQs

How can I use "previously it was" in a sentence?

Use "previously it was" to show a contrast between a past state and the current state. For example, "Previously it was a small village, but now it's a bustling city."

What phrases are similar to "previously it was"?

Alternatives include "it used to be", "formerly it was", or "at one time it was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "previously it was" formal or informal?

"Previously it was" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "it had been" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "previously it was" and "earlier it was"?

"Previously it was" generally refers to a state that existed for a significant period before the current one. "Earlier it was" can refer to something more recent. The best choice depends on the specific timeframe you're referencing.