Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
previously settled
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "previously settled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to matters or issues that have been resolved or agreed upon in the past. Example: "The terms of the agreement were previously settled during the negotiations last month."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(20)
obligation fulfilled
well paid for
settled in advance
already been resolved
previously paid for
previously finalized
already paid for
already tried
already gagged
formally approved
invoice cleared
already resolved
already finalized
already concluded
already arranged
previously agreed upon
prior arrangement
completely finished
formerly established
already paid
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
37 human-written examples
The Philadelphia and Pacific exchanges previously settled that suit by agreeing to pay a total of $7.3 million.
News & Media
Manufacturers previously settled for statements from suppliers that they do not source in eastern Congo, with no verification.
News & Media
Last month, a preliminary payment of $1.1 million was made to be split among 13 players (others had previously settled).
News & Media
I also hope the people of Britain will face the coming challenges united, and bury any ambition of demanding more referendums on previously settled matters.
News & Media
Four of the banks sued by Fannie Mae Barclaysys, Rabobank, Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS - have previously settled with regulators over similar allegations and admitted wrongdoing.
News & Media
The Journal News reported today that the school had previously settled two earlier rape cases, both involving 14-year-old girls who were raped by male students in the late 1990's.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
21 human-written examples
But there also aren't any prior judicial rulings on these unusual cases, since they have all previously been settled out of court.
News & Media
Indeed, it was not unlike the stuff he had been knocking out immediately before his retirement, when – presumably burned by the mixed response to his spirited 1990s attempts to seize the zeitgeist or dabble in the avant garde in the way he'd done so effortlessly two decades previously – Bowie settled on a more straightforward and comfortable kind of classicism.
News & Media
The concept that deletions are more likely to manifest themselves as combination of multiple developmental alterations have previously been settled in other fields such as the irradiation induced deletions in human germ cells [ 6].
Science
It had previously reported settling most of those cases, but the new filing showed how far the company has whittled away at the remaining product liability litigation.
News & Media
Sousa had moved on by then: three weeks previously he had settled for the relative obscurity of the Hungarian league, with Videoton.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "previously settled" to clearly indicate that an issue, agreement, or dispute has been resolved at an earlier point in time. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "previously settled" when referring to matters that are still ongoing or subject to change. This can create confusion and misrepresent the current state of affairs.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "previously settled" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle acting as an adjective. It describes a state or condition that has been established or resolved at a prior time. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where the phrase often modifies nouns like 'matters' or precedes nouns to describe their state.
Frequent in
News & Media
48%
Science
28%
Wiki
8%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
4%
Formal & Business
4%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "previously settled" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something has been resolved or established at an earlier time. As indicated by Ludwig, it's most frequently used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its usage is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. When using this phrase, it’s important to avoid confusion by ensuring that the matter is indeed settled and not still subject to change.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
already resolved
Focuses on the completed resolution of something at an earlier point.
previously agreed upon
Highlights a prior agreement or consensus on a matter.
earlier decided
Emphasizes the act of making a decision at a prior time.
formerly established
Indicates that something was set up or founded in the past.
prior arrangement
Stresses that a specific plan or agreement was made beforehand.
previously determined
Highlights that a decision or outcome was established in the past.
settled beforehand
Emphasizes that the act of settling occurred prior to the current situation.
resolved in advance
Focuses on resolving an issue ahead of time.
arranged earlier
Highlights the act of making arrangements at a prior time.
concluded previously
Indicates that a conclusion was reached in the past.
FAQs
How can I use "previously settled" in a sentence?
You can use "previously settled" to refer to issues or agreements that have been resolved. For example, "The terms of the contract were "previously settled" during negotiations last month."
What are some alternatives to "previously settled"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "already resolved", "previously agreed upon", or "earlier decided".
Is it appropriate to use "previously settled" in formal writing?
Yes, "previously settled" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly indicates that an issue or agreement has been resolved. However, always ensure that the context is appropriate for its use.
What's the difference between "previously settled" and "currently settled"?
"Previously settled" refers to something resolved in the past, while "currently settled" would imply it is in a state of resolution now. The former emphasizes a past resolution, and the latter suggests a present state of being settled.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested