previously unheard of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously unheard of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been known or recognized before a certain point in time. Example: "The discovery of a new species in the remote rainforest was previously unheard of in the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Such demonstrations were previously unheard of.

The Economist

These were opportunities previously unheard of in Eisai or in other Japanese pharmaceutical companies.

Harvard Business Review

Such practice can result in profound shifts of perspective and previously unheard of improvements in cognitive performance.

University of California, Berkeley

Recent floods, ones that never even had a name, resulted in previously unheard of damage to houses and neighborhoods.

Princeton University

Previously unheard of for a Pakistani leader, he met with the Indian prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, in early 1999.

The New York Times

Not everyone believes that a dish has to have a previously unheard of ingredient to be good.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

He has also made previously unheard-of strides in courting foreign investment.

The New York Times

I mean, that's a previously unheard-of statistic in terms of new forms of money.

The Guardian

Racket technology helped players serve at previously unheard-of speeds, and with incredible precision.

The New Yorker

Some have private showers and bathrooms, a previously unheard-of comfort in public hospitals.

The New York Times

A previously unheard-of group, the mujahedeen of Tatarstan, claimed responsibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously unheard of" to emphasize the novelty or uniqueness of a situation, event, or idea. Ensure the context clearly indicates what time frame the 'previously' refers to.

Common error

While "previously unheard of" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "new" or "uncommon" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously unheard of" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe something that is novel, unprecedented, or has not been experienced before. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously unheard of" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is novel or unprecedented. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in writing. The analysis shows that it appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Academia and Science. It serves to emphasize the uniqueness of a situation or event, making it a useful tool for highlighting departures from the norm. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings, where simpler alternatives might suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprecedented

Single word for "previously unheard of", indicating something that has never happened before.

novel

Emphasizes the new and original nature of something.

unexampled

Highlights that there are no prior instances or examples of the subject.

groundbreaking

Focuses on the innovative and revolutionary aspect.

revolutionary

Suggests a dramatic departure from previous norms.

unimagined

Implies that something was beyond the realm of possibility before.

unknown until now

Directly states that the information was not known before the present.

hitherto unknown

A more formal way of saying "previously unknown".

without precedent

Similar to "unprecedented" but expressed as a phrase.

unfamiliar

Indicates a lack of prior experience or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "previously unheard of" in a sentence?

Use "previously unheard of" to describe something that was not known or experienced before. For example, "The level of cooperation between the two departments was "previously unheard of"".

What can I say instead of "previously unheard of"?

You can use alternatives like "unprecedented", "novel", or "groundbreaking" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "previously unheard"?

While "previously unheard" is understandable, it's not as common or idiomatic as ""previously unheard of"". The "of" adds a sense of completeness and is generally preferred.

What is the difference between "previously unknown" and "previously unheard of"?

"Previously unknown" implies that something was not known or discovered before, while ""previously unheard of"" suggests that something was not experienced or considered possible before. The former relates to knowledge, the latter to experience or possibility.