previously taken

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously taken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that happened previously. For example: "I previously took a different job, but decided to look for something new."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trump has previously taken aim at Amazon.

The Guardian - Tech

The academy had previously taken a neutral position on circumcision.

The New York Times - Science

Clegg had long wanted to become an entrepreneur, having previously taken several other business courses.

The Guardian

But that can prove complicated for business owners who have previously taken on investment.

The Guardian

According to Privalov, Nauru has previously taken money to recognise the independence of Kosovo and Taiwan.

The Guardian

Doolan had previously taken a single that was far less exciting.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps those who's previously taken Abbott at his word hoped he'd misspoken, but no.

The Guardian - Opinion

The group had previously taken a two-year hiatus starting in 2000.

The New York Times - Arts

She had been previously taken into custody three times for auto theft.

The Guardian

Trips that had previously taken a half hour suddenly took half a day.

The New York Times

Miller has previously taken similar action against other British tabloid newspapers and the paparazzi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously taken" to clearly indicate that an action or event occurred before the current one being discussed. For example, "I had previously taken a similar course, so I understood the basics."

Common error

Don't use "previously taken" when the context already implies a past action. For example, instead of saying "The course I previously took," you can simply say "The course I took."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously taken" functions as a past participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that an action has been completed at an earlier time. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

30%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously taken" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that something occurred before the present moment. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains. Primarily found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it efficiently provides necessary background information. Remember to avoid redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply a past action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken before

Emphasizes the temporal order of the action, highlighting that it occurred at an earlier time.

prior taken

Synonymous with "previously taken", stressing the chronological order.

already taken

Indicates that the action has been completed at some point in the past.

earlier taken

Indicates that the action happened at a prior instance or occasion.

formerly taken

Highlights the past nature of the action, implying a change in status or circumstance.

once taken

Suggests that the action occurred at least one time in the past.

previously received

Specifically refers to the act of getting something in the past, providing a more concrete alternative.

taken in the past

Directly references that the action was carried out at some point before the present moment.

taken beforehand

Emphasizes that the action was done in preparation for something else.

historically taken

Implies the action has a history of being performed.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously taken" to indicate that something was done or experienced before the current situation. For example: "She had "previously taken" a similar course."

What are some alternatives to "previously taken"?

Some alternatives include "already taken", "taken before", or "formerly taken". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "previously taken" or "taken previously"?

Both "previously taken" and "taken previously" are grammatically correct, but "previously taken" is more common and generally sounds more natural. The choice often depends on sentence structure and flow.

What's the difference between "previously taken" and "currently taking"?

"Previously taken" refers to something that was done in the past, while "currently taking" refers to something that is happening now. For example: "I have "previously taken" this course, but I am currently taking a different one."