previously we are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously we are" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of tenses, as "previously" suggests a past context while "we are" is present tense. Example: "Previously, we were discussing the project's timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We can respond much more quickly than previously; we are getting there," says Mr Twiddy.

The Economist

"As we have said previously, we are aware of the allegations but will decline further comment at this time," he said in an email.

The Guardian

A BBC spokesperson said: "We've said previously we are very sorry that Sir Cliff has suffered distress but we have a duty to report on matters of public interest and we stand by our journalism".

The Guardian

A BBC spokesman said: "While we haven't received any notification of action, we've said previously we are very sorry that Sir Cliff has suffered distress but we have a duty to report on matters of public interest and we stand by our journalism".

The Guardian

As described previously, we are conducting a comprehensive organizational restructuring across our whole company.

TechCrunch

As said previously we are using pulsed supersonic expansions, but it nevertheless is worth to also consider other options.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Previously, we were stumbling in the dark".

The New York Times - Science

"Previously we were sending viral loads to Blantyre, which could take a minimum of a month, but sometimes three months before we got the results".

The Guardian

That's because they were hit with a 25percentt fare increase on May 1. Previously, we were paying 18.3percentt more than they were, according to Connecticut Department of Transportation figures.

The New York Times

Previously we were free to sort our own rubbish and deposit it in discreet containers in the street, metres from the door.

The Guardian

Moyo Wellington, a teacher at the local Nambuma boys' primary school, says the lamps will enable more children to be taught: "Previously, we were using expensive paraffin and torches but with our salaries we cannot manage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to convey a present state influenced by a prior action, clarify the connection using phrases like "As we've mentioned previously, we are now focusing on...".

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when using "previously". The word indicates a past time, so ensure the verb reflects this. Don't say, "Previously we are...", instead use "Previously, we were..." or "As we stated previously, we are now...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously we are" attempts to function as an introductory clause or phrase, setting a temporal context for a statement. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the combination of the adverb "previously" (implying a past state) with the present tense verb "are" creates a grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

44%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "previously we are" appears with some frequency, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the past-implying adverb "previously" and the present tense verb "are". The intended use is to provide context by referring to a past state, but this is undermined by the grammatical error.

To correct this, it's essential to use the past tense ("were") instead, resulting in ""previously we were"". Alternatively, rephrasing the sentence to clarify the relationship between the past and present can resolve the issue. Although the phrase appears across various sources, including news, scientific publications, and general web content, the grammatical error should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Previously we were

Corrects the tense inconsistency by using the past tense "were" instead of the present tense "are".

Before, we were

Replaces "previously" with "before" and uses the past tense "were" for grammatical correctness.

In the past, we were

Uses a more explicit timeframe "in the past" combined with the past tense "were".

Earlier, we were

Uses "earlier" as a substitute for "previously", paired with the past tense "were".

We were previously

Rearranges the sentence structure while maintaining a past tense.

As we stated before, we are

Adds a present-tense clarification that something was stated before but continues to be valid.

Previously, it was our understanding that we are

Specifies a past state of understanding but transitions into a present state.

We had previously been

Employs the past perfect tense to describe a prior state.

Prior to this, we were

Similar to "before, we were", using a different prepositional phrase.

Formerly, we were

Replaces "previously" with "formerly", keeping the past tense.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "previously" in a sentence?

When using "previously", ensure that the verb tense aligns with the past timeframe it implies. For example, it's correct to say "Previously, we "previously we were" focused on this issue".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "previously we are"?

Instead of "previously we are", you can use phrases like ""previously we were"", "earlier we were", or "before we were" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "previously we are"?

No, "previously we are" is grammatically incorrect because it mixes a past indicator ("previously") with the present tense ("are"). The correct usage would be ""previously we were"".

How can I avoid tense errors when using the word "previously"?

To avoid tense errors, always pair "previously" with a verb in the past tense. For instance, instead of "previously we are", use ""previously we were"" or restructure the sentence to clarify the relationship between the past and present, like "As we stated previously, we are now…".