previously signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a document or agreement that has been signed at an earlier time. Example: "Please refer to the previously signed contract for the terms of our agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government and rebels have previously signed at least three peace deals which were broken quickly.

The Guardian

Russia today has violated all treaties and agreements it has previously signed.

The New York Times

United have previously signed Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam and Park Ji-sung from PSV Eindhoven.

The Guardian - Sport

Dennis Quaid previously signed on to play a leading role, along with Tomorrowland's Britt Robertson.

The Guardian - Film

But both sides have been unable to carry out the agreements they previously signed.

The New York Times

America had previously signed up to a cut of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

The Economist

He previously signed an endorsement contract with Nike, precluding him from playing in college in the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think a lot of Steve," said the England midfielder who, incidentally, was previously signed for Liverpool by Benítez.

The Guardian - Sport

The company is known for aggressively targeting the sort of small businesses which may have previously signed up with PayPal.

The Guardian - Tech

Chairman Mahmoud Abbas declared his commitment to all previously signed agreements with Israel, with no objections from those present.

The New York Times

The actress has previously signed away her likeness to the character, meaning she will make no money on merchandise.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific previously signed document, consider including a reference number or date for clarity. For instance, 'As per the previously signed contract #2024-001'.

Common error

Avoid using "previously signed" when referring to something that is currently being signed. Use a future tense or present continuous tense to indicate the ongoing action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously signed" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (e.g., agreement, contract, document) that was signed at an earlier time. As shown by Ludwig, it helps to specify that the action of signing occurred before the current context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Tech

7%

Sports

6%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously signed" is a versatile and commonly used adjectival modifier that indicates an action of signing occurred at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and serves to provide context and establish timelines in various scenarios. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a document or agreement already signed, and consider including specific references for clarity. For alternative phrasing, "signed earlier" or "signed beforehand" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signed earlier

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the signing, focusing on its occurrence at an earlier point.

signed beforehand

Highlights that the signing took place before a specific event or time.

previously agreed upon

Focuses on the agreement aspect, suggesting that the terms were settled before.

signed in advance

Similar to 'signed beforehand', but can also imply a proactive action.

formerly signed

Indicates a signing that occurred in the past, without necessarily implying a direct connection to the present.

prior signing

A more concise way of saying "previously signed", suitable for technical contexts.

initially signed

Emphasizes the start or origin of the signing, implying a beginning point.

already signed

Highlights that the signing has been completed before a certain point in time.

signed in the past

General reference to a past signing event, less specific than other alternatives.

contracts already executed

This is a more formal, business-oriented way of saying contracts were signed at an earlier time.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously signed" to refer to documents or agreements that were signed at an earlier time. For example: "Please refer to the "signed earlier" contract for the terms of our agreement".

What can I say instead of "previously signed"?

You can use alternatives like "signed earlier", "signed beforehand", or "already signed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "previously signed agreement" or "agreement previously signed"?

"Previously signed agreement" is generally preferred as the adjective "previously signed" modifies the noun "agreement" directly. While "agreement previously signed" is grammatically correct, it's less common and can sound awkward in some contexts.

What's the difference between "previously signed" and "recently signed"?

"Previously signed" indicates an action that occurred at some point in the past, without specifying how long ago. "Recently signed" implies that the signing occurred in the near past.