really done before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really done before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or inquiry about whether something has genuinely been completed in the past. Example: "I wonder if this method has really been done before, or if it's a new approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"It's like nothing I'd really done before, and I didn't really understand it," says Pattinson, 26, now chewing on a toothpick, partly to rid himself of the remnants of a quarter pounder with cheese and partly because he is trying to give up smoking.

The Guardian - Film

"We're getting big results which we've never really done before and we've got a major tournament around the corner.

BBC

I wish I could say it was a calculated, intelligent decision, but it really was just something that I thought was funny, that I hadn't really done before, and there were just great people involved.

Huffington Post

"If I can be good at both it'll be something nobody has really done before".

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Schaff said, "Will is a true storyteller, with a wonderful sense of detail, and he's definitely inviting people into his life in a way he's never really done before".

The New York Times - Arts

The way he used the undergrowths to suit himself – things being soaked in water and so on – was a way of looking at nature that no one had really done before".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

At that time, nobody expected things to be pretty, they just wanted to access the world's information as quickly as possible, which is something they couldn't really do before Google.

TechCrunch

I sometimes use lube now when masturbating, which I never really did before, but it's not a must".

Vice

This whole thing, like what we're doing now, with me going abroad before the game is finished, talking to people while the game is still in development, that's something that I never really did before.

Vice

In other words, now that you have been to camp, how do you think you were really doing before?" It was emphasized that they were not to recall their original responses, but rather to provide a renewed judgment.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

And we expect that to happen, we really do, before the start of next season.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "really done before", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're expressing genuine surprise, doubt, or simply seeking confirmation about prior instances of an action. For greater clarity, consider specifying what makes the current situation different from previous attempts.

Common error

Avoid using "really done before" simply as a filler phrase to sound more emphatic. If the "really" doesn't add substantive meaning (e.g., distinguishing a genuine attempt from a superficial one), it can weaken your writing. Instead, focus on providing specific details about the action or its context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really done before" functions as a qualifier, adding emphasis or expressing doubt about the prior existence or successful completion of an action. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It often prompts further inquiry or signals a unique situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really done before" is a grammatically correct phrase used to question or emphasize the prior occurrence of an event, often signaling doubt or surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While its meaning is relatively straightforward, related phrases like "genuinely accomplished before" or "actually been done previously" can offer more formal or nuanced alternatives. Remember to avoid using "really" as a mere filler to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely accomplished before

Replaces "really done" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the authenticity of the prior completion.

actually been done previously

Substitutes "really" with "actually" and "before" with "previously", focusing on the factual aspect of the prior action.

truly completed in the past

Replaces "really done" with "truly completed", stressing the genuineness and finality of the action in the past.

authentically carried out before

Uses more formal terms like "authentically carried out" to convey the idea of prior execution with certainty.

legitimately executed before

Emphasizes the legitimacy and validity of the prior execution of the action.

factually accomplished beforehand

Highlights the factual nature of the accomplishment, using "beforehand" as a synonym for "before".

verifiably performed earlier

Focuses on the verifiability of the performance, using "earlier" to indicate the prior time.

substantially achieved before

Replaces "really done" with "substantially achieved", emphasizing the significance of the prior accomplishment.

honestly implemented before

Focuses on the honesty and integrity of the prior implementation of the action.

sincerely undertaken previously

Emphasizes the sincerity of the previous undertaking, suggesting a genuine effort.

FAQs

What does "really done before" mean?

The phrase "really done before" implies questioning or emphasizing whether something has genuinely been completed or attempted in the past. It often suggests doubt or surprise about a prior occurrence.

How can I use "really done before" in a sentence?

You might use it to express doubt, as in, "I wonder if this method has "really been done before", or if it's a new approach?" Or, you could use it to emphasize a unique or novel situation.

What can I say instead of "really done before"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely accomplished before", "actually been done previously", or "truly completed in the past" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "never done before" or "not really been done before"?

While "never done before" implies complete novelty, "not "really done before"" suggests that while something similar may have been attempted, it wasn't executed effectively or authentically. The better choice depends on the precise meaning you want to convey.