previously known

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously known" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something was known or established before a specific point in time. Example: The suspect, who was previously known for petty theft, was arrested for robbing a local convenience store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was not previously known to police.

The Guardian

These features were not previously known.

The Guardian

Alterra was previously known as Assisted Living Services.

The New York Times

Ready, in particular, for something I'd not previously known about.

The Guardian - Books

Nigerian peacekeepers were previously known for violating civilians' rights.

The New York Times

None of the previously known sites were damaged, she said.

The New York Times

The dramas are "The Ex List" (previously known as "Mythological X"), "Elemental" (previously known as "Eleventh Hour"), "The Mentalist," and "Harper's Island".

The New York Times

He was previously known primarily for his successful modelling career.

Independent

Previously known as Widowed Mother's Allowance.

BBC

SCO was previously known as Caldera.

Forbes

Going.com was previously known as HeyLetsGo.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously known", ensure the context clearly defines what it was known for and when that knowledge was established. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "previously known" without specifying the context or timeframe. Without proper context, the phrase can become vague and leave the reader unsure of what was known and when.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously known" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the state of being known at an earlier time. It typically precedes a noun or noun phrase to specify that the information was already established. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously known" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that something was recognized or understood at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse sources, particularly in Science and News & Media. When using "previously known", it's important to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "formerly recognized" or "previously identified" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, the phrase is a reliable tool for providing background information and setting the stage for new insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly recognized

Changes 'previously known' to 'formerly recognized', implying formal acknowledgment in the past.

previously identified

Replaces 'known' with 'identified', suggesting a more specific act of recognition.

once understood

Substitutes 'previously known' with 'once understood', emphasizing past comprehension.

earlier recognized

Uses 'earlier recognized' instead of 'previously known', focusing on the timing of the recognition.

already established

Replaces 'previously known' with 'already established', indicating prior validation or confirmation.

previously established

Uses "previously established" instead of "previously known", focusing on the action of confirming or setting up something in the past.

in the past known

Changes 'previously known' to 'in the past known', emphasizing a more informal, conversational tone.

acknowledged before

Substitutes 'previously known' with 'acknowledged before', shifting focus to the act of acknowledgment.

heretofore known

Replaces 'previously known' with 'heretofore known', employing a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

priorly known

Changes 'previously known' to 'priorly known', offering a less common, slightly more stilted alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously known" to indicate that something was recognized or understood at an earlier time. For example, "The element, previously known only in theory, was synthesized in the lab".

What's the difference between "previously known" and "formerly known"?

"Previously known" generally indicates that something was known before, while "formerly known" specifically refers to a past official or legal designation, often used for names or titles.

What can I say instead of "previously known"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly recognized", "previously identified", or "once understood" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "previously known"?

While the word "known" implies awareness, "previously" adds emphasis to the timing. It's not inherently redundant but consider if the timing is crucial to the sentence's meaning.