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 subsequently
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "previously subsequently" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It is contradictory as "previously" refers to something that happened before, while "subsequently" refers to something that happens after. Example: "The report was previously submitted, and subsequently, it was reviewed by the committee."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Engineering Structures
The Economist
BBC
TechCrunch
Plosone
BMC Infectious Diseases
BMJ Open
Breast Cancer Research
Chemical Research in Toxicology
ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research
The Guardian - Sport
The New York Times
Journal of Applied Volcanology
International Encyclopedia of Human Geography
Science Magazine
Vice
Emerging Infectious Diseases
BMC Gastroenterology
British Journal of Cancer
BMC Family Practice
Archives of Toxicology
BMC Cancer
Biology Letters
British Medical Journal
Critical Public Health
BioMed Research International
Biomass and Bioenergy
EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking
Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms
Cancer Imaging
Arthritis Research and Therapy
BMJ Open
BMC Systems Biology
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Biochemical Journal
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Family Practice
Hepatology
Blood Cancer Journal
Acta Orthopaedica
Cancer
The New Yorker
Nanoscale Research Letters
International Journal of STEM Education
Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer
Alternative expressions(4)
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
1 human-written examples
In order to update the model by identifying the dynamic response of the building, experimental ambient vibration tests have been previously subsequently carried out.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
It took up one page of the same notebook: a page previously, or subsequently, covered with elementary sums and blots.
News & Media
Former Liverpool players John Barnes and John Arne Riise have also been declared bankrupt previously but subsequently applied for annulments.
News & Media
This time last year, we were all eagerly anticipating the imminent US roll-out of Spotify – the next big UK-based startup that was going to change the world (see previously Bebo – subsequently killed by AOL – and Last.fm – now set in amber by CBS).
News & Media
Whereas the Leningrad Siege lasted from 1941 to 1944, the Dutch famine lasted only for 6 months in a previously and subsequently well nourished population.
Science
In a previous paper, we could not statistically show differences on E from base to apex, although the measured values of E were in the range of those previously and subsequently reported [12].
Science
Because CMV shedding can be sporadic, some of the CMV-seropositive children who were not shedding at their study visit may have been shedding previously or subsequently.
Science
The previously and subsequently well-nourished Dutch population's daily rations dropped acutely to as little as 400 800 calories during the 5 months of famine.
Science
The transfectants were stimulated with TGF-β1 as described previously, and subsequently were processed for the determination of renilla and firefly luciferase by using the Dual-Glo Assay System (Promega, Madison, WI).
Science
The B[ a]P-7,8-dione-dGuo and B[ a]P-7,8-dione-dAde adducts were synthesized according to the method reported previously and subsequently analyzed by ion trap LC-MS/MS.
18 Other investigators have reported that between 18% and 48% of their patients treated with MIS SI joint fusion underwent lumbar spinal fusion, 14, 15 which suggests that the 6-year window may not have been long enough to fully capture those patients who previously or subsequently underwent lumbar spinal fusion.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "previously subsequently" as it creates a contradiction. Clearly separate events using "previously" for something that happened before and "subsequently" for what happened after. For example: 'The data was collected previously; subsequently, it was analyzed.'
Common error
Don't combine "previously" and "subsequently" in a way that implies they occur simultaneously or in the same context. This creates ambiguity and can confuse the reader. Use separate sentences or clauses to clearly define the sequence of events.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "previously subsequently" attempts to combine two adverbs of time with opposite meanings. As Ludwig AI explains, this combination creates a logical contradiction because "previously" indicates something that happened before, while "subsequently" indicates something that happens after.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "previously subsequently" is grammatically incorrect and contradictory, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It attempts to combine two adverbs with opposing meanings, leading to confusion and ambiguity. Its frequency is rare, and it is not appropriate for use in any context. Instead, separate the events into distinct clauses or sentences, using alternatives like "first...then" or "before...after" to clearly indicate the sequence of events. Remember that "previously" refers to something that happened before, and "subsequently" refers to something that happens after, and these should be used independently to maintain clarity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
formerly and subsequently
Maintains "subsequently" while substituting "previously" with a near synonym.
initially and then
Highlights the starting point and the following action in a sequence.
prior to that and following that
Emphasizes the before-and-after relationship in a more descriptive way.
first and later
Replaces "previously" and "subsequently" with more common synonyms indicating time order.
at first and afterwards
Uses a slightly more formal term for "later", maintaining a sense of chronology.
once and thereafter
Replaces the original terms with synonyms that denote a point in time and its sequence.
earlier and then
Combines a term for prior occurrence with a general term indicating sequence.
before and after
Uses basic temporal prepositions to denote order, simplifying the original phrase.
in the past and then
Clearly divides time into two segments, past and subsequent action.
beforehand and later on
Uses informal synonyms to convey the order of events.
FAQs
How can I correct the phrase "previously subsequently"?
The phrase "previously subsequently" is contradictory. You should separate the events into distinct clauses or sentences. For example, instead of "previously subsequently", use "It happened "previously", and "subsequently", this occurred."
Is it ever correct to use "previously" and "subsequently" together?
No, it is not correct to use "previously subsequently" together in the same phrase or sentence because they have opposite meanings. "Previously" means before, and "subsequently" means after. Combining them creates a logical contradiction.
What are some alternatives to using "previously" and "subsequently" in the same sentence?
Instead of using "previously subsequently", try using phrases like "first...then", "before...after", or "initially...later". These alternatives clearly indicate the order of events without creating a contradiction.
How do I avoid making errors with adverbs of time like "previously" and "subsequently"?
To avoid errors, ensure that your adverbs of time clearly reflect the chronological order of events. Use "previously" to refer to something that occurred earlier and "subsequently" for something that occurred later, placing them in separate clauses or sentences for clarity.
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
82%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested